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Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease (POGBSD) occurs before labor and delivery and includes miscarriages and stillbirths caused by group B strep. Currently, babies who are born already infected with group B strep are classified as "early-onset" regardless of when the infection began. According to a 2012 study done by Tudela and colleagues, "We hypothesize that these data support the concept that early-onset GBS represents a spectrum of infection that often precedes birth."
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GBSI advocates that the timing of when the infection began should determine if a baby had early-onset vs. prenatal-onset GBS disease. This is important as early-onset prevention strategies don't prevent GBS infections beginning before a woman's labor starts or her water breaks. In looking at individual cases, did the early-onset strategy fail or could something different have been done to protect a particular baby?
Please view Defining Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease (POGBSD) for further information.
Healthcare providers: Please view Table 1 of Development of Putative Working Definitions of Prenatal-onset Group B Strep (POGBS) Invasive Disease for proposed working definitions for POGBSD.
Over a decade ago, the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) stated in their 2010 MMWR, "The burden of prenatal-onset GBS disease has not been assessed adequately and no effective prevention tools have been identified before the intrapartum period." Since then, there have been several studies to assess the global burden of group B strep disease, including the burden of GBS infections prior to birth. Most recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in their November 2021 Group B Streptococcus Full Value of Vaccine Assessment that each year 518,000 preterm births were attributable to GBS as well as 46,000 stillbirths, contrary to the the common thought that GBS-caused stillbirths are rare. This report calls for the urgent development of a maternal vaccine against GBS to reduce this toll. (Several vaccines are being developed; however, none are yet available.)
Please view Defining Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease (POGBSD) for further information.
Healthcare providers: Please view Table 1 of Development of Putative Working Definitions of Prenatal-onset Group B Strep (POGBS) Invasive Disease for proposed working definitions for POGBSD.
Over a decade ago, the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) stated in their 2010 MMWR, "The burden of prenatal-onset GBS disease has not been assessed adequately and no effective prevention tools have been identified before the intrapartum period." Since then, there have been several studies to assess the global burden of group B strep disease, including the burden of GBS infections prior to birth. Most recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in their November 2021 Group B Streptococcus Full Value of Vaccine Assessment that each year 518,000 preterm births were attributable to GBS as well as 46,000 stillbirths, contrary to the the common thought that GBS-caused stillbirths are rare. This report calls for the urgent development of a maternal vaccine against GBS to reduce this toll. (Several vaccines are being developed; however, none are yet available.)
Knowledge-based strategies: Although there are currently no official guidelines regarding prenatal-onset GBS disease prevention, following are several knowledge-based strategies which may help prevent unborn babies becoming infected by group B strep (or other harmful microorganisms) and/or enable better outcomes with prompt medical intervention:
In the US, this is usually done at the first prenatal visit and is different than the standard prenatal urine “dipstick” check. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued new guidance in 2019 regarding Bacteriuria (GBS in urine) in regards to early-onset disease prevention. However, studies have shown that treating asymptomatic bacteriuria can reduce the risks of preterm birth. Further research is needed to see if perhaps urine culturing can also provide opportunities to reduce the risk of GBS infection for unborn babies.
Urine culturing is important because having GBS in your urine means that you are likely to be heavily colonized vaginally where GBS could potentially harm your baby. You may have GBS in your urine without having any symptoms, but see your provider promptly if you do have any symptoms of a bladder (urinary tract) infection.
Ask about the results of your urine culture:
Urine culturing is important because having GBS in your urine means that you are likely to be heavily colonized vaginally where GBS could potentially harm your baby. You may have GBS in your urine without having any symptoms, but see your provider promptly if you do have any symptoms of a bladder (urinary tract) infection.
Ask about the results of your urine culture:
- If you have a significant level of GBS in your urine or any symptoms, your provider should prescribe oral antibiotics at the time of diagnosis. GBSI advocates a recheck (“test of cure”) one month after treatment.
- If you have any reportable amount of GBS in your urine, you should receive IV antibiotics for GBS during labor and delivery regardless of any future GBS test results in this pregnancy.
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As there are currently not any prevention protocols in place for prenatal-onset and although there may not be any detectable forewarning, knowing and recognizing these signs could make all the difference for you and your baby! Reasons to contact your provider immediately:
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Monitoring fetal movement in the third trimester
Joy Bryant, RN-C, BSN, MSN, EdD This presentation is from GBSI's 1st Annual Virtual Symposium on Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease. |
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GBS can cause preterm labor as well as cause a woman's water to break too soon, also known as preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). While GBS can cause preterm labor and PPROM, it is important to note that it does not necessarily mean your baby will become infected.
According to an article on the global burden of GBS disease in 2015, "Up to 3.5 million preterm births may be attributable to GBS." This estimate is for one year! Being born too soon can cause lifelong health challenges for a baby. Call your health care provider right away if you experience any of the following:
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These presentations are from GBSI's 1st Annual Virtual Symposium on Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease.
What Can We Currently Do to Help Prevent Prenatal-onset Group B Strep Disease?
Marti Perhach, Executive Director |
Learn more about the many types of prenatal infections and how to help prevent them!
Invasive procedures may push GBS closer to your baby where GBS is able to cross intact membranes. Knowing how far you are dilated does not accurately predict when your baby will be born. Vaginal or perineal ultrasounds are less invasive options for internal exams although may not be readily available in all health care settings.
According to the current ACOG guidelines in the US, "Membrane sweeping (or stripping) among women with term gestations is associated with reduced duration of pregnancy and reduced frequency of pregnancy continuing beyond 41 weeks of gestation... Although current evidence is limited, membrane sweeping does not appear to be associated with adverse outcomes in women colonized with GBS..." however, .."Because of the hypothetical concern of bacterial seeding during the procedure, some practitioners may choose not to sweep the membranes in women colonized with GBS." GBSI advocates informed patient consent regardless of GBS status as GBS status can change and other microorganisms can also cross intact membranes.
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“Do Not Strip Membranes in the Presence of Group B Strep and Here’s Why” by Dr. James A. McGregor. This video contains ultrasound footage illustrating active uterine transport in both a non-pregnant and pregnant patient.
Video testimonials by providers as to why they avoid stripping membranes: |
GBSI’s poster “Membranes should NOT be stripped” below (en español) explains why GBSI advocates that membranes should NOT be stripped even if a woman tests negative for GBS. It is important to know that E. coli and other local microflora can also cross/weaken intact membranes.
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GBSI advocates for informed consent prior to membrane stripping. Click HERE for our sample Learning Consent Form
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On page 7 of the 201o CDC MMWR, the CDC discusses GBS and its ability to cross intact amniotic membranes.
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“GBSI’s Information Statement on Fetal Membrane Stripping” (en español) (en français) explains why membrane stripping (or “sweeping”) should be avoided.
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GBS can cause vaginitis symptoms such as:
These symptoms may be mistaken for a yeast infection (also known as "vaginal thrush") and treated incorrectly.
Healthcare providers: Please view the poster presentation, Revisiting group B strep (GBS) symptomatic vaginitis (GBSSV), for more information.
View studies about Vaginitis & GBS
- external vaginal burning
- external vaginal irritation
- unusual discharge
These symptoms may be mistaken for a yeast infection (also known as "vaginal thrush") and treated incorrectly.
Healthcare providers: Please view the poster presentation, Revisiting group B strep (GBS) symptomatic vaginitis (GBSSV), for more information.
View studies about Vaginitis & GBS
