October is Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month
There are three types of GBS disease (prenatal-onset, early-onset, and late-onset) but prenatal-onset is often overlooked or not recognized, which minimizes the potential of GBS to cause thousands of babies to be miscarried, stillborn, or born already sick each year due to being infected by GBS in the womb. We want to make sure that prenatal-onset GBS disease is recognized and that more pregnant women and healthcare professionals become aware that pregnancy is a distinct time period in which babies can be infected by GBS.
GBS infections before birth are called “prenatal-onset.” Prenatal-onset GBS (POGBS) disease 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. However, early-onset prevention strategies do not prevent GBS infections beginning before a woman's labor starts or her water breaks. GBS can also cause preterm labor and a woman's water to break too soon.
GBS infections before birth are called “prenatal-onset.” Prenatal-onset GBS (POGBS) disease 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. However, early-onset prevention strategies do not prevent GBS infections beginning before a woman's labor starts or her water breaks. GBS can also cause preterm labor and a woman's water to break too soon.
We need your help to promote awareness that group B strep (GBS) can infect babies not only once born, but also before birth. Currently, most medical literature only acknowledges two types of GBS disease: early-onset (birth through the first week of life) and late-onset (after the first week of life to several months of age). We are grateful to the authors of "The urgent need to recognize and properly address prenatal-onset group B Streptococcus disease" for their work to bring attention to the fact that GBS can harm babies before birth.
Our goal is for prenatal-onset group B strep disease to be widely recognized in order to promote more research for its prevention and to inform pregnant women and healthcare providers worldwide about knowledge-based strategies that may help protect unborn babies from being miscarried, stillborn, born too soon, or born already sick due to group B strep.
Our goal is for prenatal-onset group B strep disease to be widely recognized in order to promote more research for its prevention and to inform pregnant women and healthcare providers worldwide about knowledge-based strategies that may help protect unborn babies from being miscarried, stillborn, born too soon, or born already sick due to group B strep.
Here's what we're doing:
- Developing an information sheet for patients to share with their healthcare providers about much-needed knowledge to help recognize and possibly prevent GBS infections during pregnancy.
- Developing an informative guide to inform readers about the complex issues surrounding prenatal-onset GBS disease.
- Analyzing preliminary data from the WAVES Study to identify gaps in GBS care and communication.
Important dates for October:
- October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
- October 9-15 is Baby Loss Awareness Week
- October 15 is World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
- October 15 is the global Wave of Light for one hour starting at 7 PM local time in memory of all the babies who have died too soon
How to Get Involved
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Here's how you can help:
If you would like to volunteer with GBSI please contact info@gbs-intl.org
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Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Fast Facts
- POGBSD occurs when the baby becomes infected by GBS before labour starts or water breaks.
- Invasive procedures may push GBS closer to your baby where GBS is able to cross intact membranes.
- GBSI advocates against fetal membrane stripping.
- GBS is not considered to be a sexually-transmitted infection as it occurs naturally in the body, However, bacteria can be passed between sexual partners, including through oral contact.
For more information, view our prenatal-onset section of our website or view the 2018 Virtual Symposium on POGBSD to learn from experts in the field!
Get involved on social media
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To stay up-to-date, join the discussion, and see what people are sharing:
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Use GBS Awareness Materials to Share with Others
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Download complimentary brochures, status cards, stickers, and more! Download our October awareness ribbons to post or share.
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Fundraise in Your Community
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Learn how you can organize a fundraiser for GBS awareness!
Let's come together to spread GBS awareness! Funds raised by spreading awareness in your community go towards spreading awareness worldwide, so even a small project has a big impact. Social distancing? We even have fundraising ideas you can do without leaving the house! |
Promote POGBSD Recognition
