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Group B Streptococcus: what are we missing in the newborn period?

Group B Streptococcus is the most common cause of severe infection in newborn babies in the UK. Despite a risk-based prevention strategy for early-onset infection, in place since 2002, rates have increased significantly.

Data published by Public Health England (PHE) in November 2019 reported that the rate of group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections in babies during their first week of life in 2018 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has risen again.1 Updated guidance published in 2017 by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecolologists (RCOG) on preventing early-onset GBS infection2 should have led to a reduction in these infections in the newborn, yet the rates have increased. So, what are we missing?

Background

Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) is a β-haemolytic Gram-positive coccus. It is the most common cause of severe infection in newborn babies in the UK,3 causing sepsis and pneumonia, and, in about 10%, meningitis.4 Approximately one in three survivors of GBS meningitis have some neurodevelopmental impairment, and one in five survivors have moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment.5

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Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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