Signs of infant infection with group B Streptococcus

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Group B Streptococcus can be transmitted from mother to infant during labor. Newborns infected with group B strep are at risk of dangerous complications such as pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis,...

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that exists in the body, mainly in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and genital tract in men and women, usually does not cause serious illness. In women, group B strep usually develops in the uterus and rectum. This is not a sexually transmitted disease.
In pregnant women, most Strep B carriers are either asymptomatic or experience no adverse health effects. In some cases, a urinary tract infection or inflammation of the uterus may occur. However, pregnant women need to be careful with this group of bacteria because they can be transmitted to the newborn during labor.

There are 2 forms of group B strep infection in infants: early-onset and late-onset. Each form has its own symptoms but can all have serious consequences.

Early-onset group B streptococcus in infants usually occurs in the first week of life, mainly within the first 24-48 hours after birth. Newborns become infected with group B strep bacteria when the mother carries the bacteria in labor. About 50% of newborns get bacterial infections from the mother's vagina, but only 1-2% of these have symptoms. Factors that increase the risk of disease include: Premature birth, mothers with prolonged labor, mothers with fever, obstetric complications,...
Common symptoms in children infected with group B strep Early onset is: Symptoms of sepsis, respiratory distress, lethargy, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal and kidney problems. Children may experience complications such as: bacteremia, pneumonia and meningitis,...

Late-onset group B strep usually occurs after 1 week - 3 months of age. This type of infection mainly comes from the following ways: Mother transmits to her baby during labor or from contact with a carrier of group B strep bacteria. Symptoms of late-onset group B strep infection in children are: Slow or inactive activity, fussiness, poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy or irritability, high fever, etc. Children with late-onset group B strep infection may experience dangerous complications dangerous as pneumonia, osteomyelitis, arthritis, meningitis,...

To prevent the risk of group B strep infection in the newborn, pregnant women should have a group B strep test at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy. When conducting the test, the doctor will take samples from the uterus and rectum, send them to a laboratory to grow them in a special environment and make the most accurate conclusions.
Mothers who are identified as carrying group B strep should be treated and taken measures to prevent transmission to the newborn in accordance with the recommendations of specialists.
Group B Streptococcus can cause dangerous infections in babies. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to early disease screening to take measures to prevent infection for children. At the same time, when detecting a child with suspected symptoms of GBS infection, it is necessary to immediately take the child to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, to avoid the risk of unpredictable complications.