Group B strep (GBS) is a big deal!

Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). GBS can also infect babies during pregnancy and the first few months of life.

Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but, for those who do, the results can be devastating. GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, born prematurely, become very sick, have lifelong handicaps, or die.

Fortunately there are ways to help protect babies from Group B Strep. This website contains resources for you to learn more about GBS and help prevent its devastating effects. Please e-mail us at info@gbs-intl.org for information as to how to participate in Group B Strep International’s upcoming “Group B Strep is a Big Deal” campaign.

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NEW & NOTEWORTHY

February is International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month. Visit our prenatal infection prevention page for downloadable materials and resources to help prevent some of the most common prenatal infections.

Contact your Representative and Senators to Co-sponsor Newly Introduced Stillbirth Legislation That Will Support Education and Prevention Efforts for Prenatal-onset GBS Disease! Great news! The Stillbirth and SUID Prevention, Education and Awareness Act of 2009 was filed July 14 by Senator Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ and a companion bill was filed in the House by Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ-6. These bills would improve the collection of critical data to determine the causes of stillbirth and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death as well as SIDS. This data could lead to recognized prevention strategies to help fight prenatal-onset GBS disease. Specifically, this act would:

• Expand current data collection activities to additional states to identify the causes of stillbirth and ways to prevent it in the future. (GBSI Note: Currently there is NO surveillance data collected for prenatal-onset GBS disease!)
• Create a public awareness and education campaign to educate women about the risk factors for stillbirth and the importance of prenatal care.
• Expand support services, such as grief counseling, for families who have experienced a stillbirth loss.

You can help by contacting your two Senators and your Representative in the House (click here to find your 9 digit zip code in order to look up your Representative) to urge them to co-sponsor this important bill so that it is more likely to pass quickly! You are welcome to add your personal story to our sample letter.

For more information please view the legislation Fact Sheet or the full legislation

You can check whether or not your senator and/or representative has already cosponsored the bill at www.thomas.loc.gov and then type in the bill numbers (H.R. 3212 and S. 1445).

GBS Blogs and News

Group B Strep Poses Risk for Newborns blog by Tristan Mock, ND

Evaluation of Universal Antenatal Screening for Group B Streptococcus The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 360:2626-2636, June 18, 2009, Number 25. This article is an excellent update on the impact of GBS universal screening and on opportunities for improvement.

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