Efficacy of a universal screening program for the prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal disease.
Universal antepartum vaginal cultures for group B streptococcus (GBS) were initiated in a Spanish hospital in 1994 using Granada medium. Infants born to carriers were monitored closely, and blood, urine and mucocutaneous areas were cultured for GBS. Group B streptococcus was detected in 543 of 4,525 women (12%). Of these, 454 gave birth vaginally, of whom 201 (44%) received intrapartum ampicillin. Prophylaxis was not administered to 253 women (56%). In this group, infants of 120 women were colonized and 1 case of neonatal GBS disease occurred. Using this protocol, most GBS carriers with risk factors received intrapartum prophylaxis. This protocol also led to early identification of colonized newborns.
de Cueto
M
M
Microbiology Service, Virgen de las Nieves Hospital, Granada, Spain.
Sánchez
M J
MJ
Moltó
L
L
Miranda
J A
JA
Herruzo
A J
AJ
Ruiz-Bravo
A
A
de la Rosa-Fraile
M
M
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology