title: Prevention of group B streptococci transmission during delivery by vaginal application of chlorhexidine gel.
abstract: In a prospective study in 227 parturients, carriership of group B streptococci was established to be 25%. In carriers, transmission of streptococci to the newborn occurred in 50%. 10 ml of a chlorhexidine gel containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose was introduced into the vagina during labor in 17 parturients, who were known to be carriers of group B streptococci from the first trimester of pregnancy. In none of the newborns from these mothers colonization by group B streptococci did occur. Vaginal application of chlorhexidine may prevent transmission of group B streptococci, and serve as an alternative to intrapartum prophylaxis using antibiotics. A large multicenter randomized controlled study should be performed to confirm this hypothesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kollée
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Speyer
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Kuijck
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koopman
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dony
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wintermans
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D002353:Carrier State / Q000635:transmission; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000635:transmission*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D002710:Chlorhexidine