title: Screening and management protocols for group B streptococcus in pregnancy.
abstract: Infection with Group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Screening by antepartum cultures or by risk factors and intrapartum antibiotics has been shown to reduce the risk of early onset GBS disease in newborns, but controversy exists about the best approach for screening and treatment. Currently recommended protocols do not prevent all cases of early onset GBS disease. Intrapartum antibiotics are not without harm, and currently recommended protocols will result in large numbers of women being treated who would not have benefited from treatment. In this article, we review the advantages and disadvantages of currently recommended protocols.
authors.affiliation: Maricopa Medical Center, 2601 R. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. chris.carey@hcs.maricopa.gov
authors.forename: J Christopher
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae