title: Group B streptococcus during the perinatal period.
abstract: The beta hemolytic streptococcus group B (GBS) emerged as a major pathologic threat to infants in the 1960s and continues to be the leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity in the 1990s. Current approaches to prevention are directed toward eliminating exposure to the pathogen through chemoprophylaxis or enhancing host resistance through immunoprophylaxis. Because research is advancing rapidly in this area, perinatal nurses should keep abreast of changes in prevention and treatment strategies to enhance patient education and improve care.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, USA.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Shermer
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D009017:Morbidity; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae