Prenatal antibiotic treatment does not decrease group B streptococcus colonization at delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether an outpatient antibiotic regimen decreased group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization to preclude the use of intrapartum antibiotics.


METHODS
A double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluating prenatal oral amoxicillin versus placebo with the primary outcome of GBS colonization at the time of labor.


RESULTS
Of those patients receiving both amoxicillin and a repeat culture at the time of labor, 6 of the 14 (43%) tested positive for GBS colonization. Given persistent GBS colonization of 67% (10/15) in the placebo group, treatment with amoxicillin did not significantly impact colonization at the time of delivery (P=0.20).


CONCLUSIONS
A regimen of outpatient amoxicillin was associated with persistent GBS colonization in 43% of women at the time of labor. Oral prenatal antibiotic prophylaxis against GBS does not sufficiently reduce colonization to preclude intrapartum intravenous antibiotics.
Baecher
Laura
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA. lbaecher@hotmail.com
Grobman
William
W
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin