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Dr Anna Maw, Paediatrician
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Consultant pediatrician at Cambridge University NHS Trust in the UK. A child doctor specializing in brain development and neurology. She has three children.
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MW 16 & 25 wk

Group B Streptococcus

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have found that some newborn babies, who contract an infection during birth, are being treated too late.
In Short
NICE recommends women potentially carrying the infection be better identified - since the infection of babies can be prevented in most cases.

Screening for GBS not currently offered on the NHS. At home kits are available, or tests at private clinics.

New recommendations and guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have been issued to help prevent the deaths and suffering caused by infections in newborns.

These bacterial infections include E Coli, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Group B streptococcus (GBS), all of which can be carried in the mother’s genital tract.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

About half of all men and women carry GBS, but it is considered harmless most of the time.

However, if newborns are infected with the bacteria, it can be very serious, causing disability and can even be fatal. It is also thought to be a major cause of stillbirths.

NICE recommends better identification of babies at risk of this type of infection at birth, and antibiotics for mothers during labour if they are thought to be likely to be carrying the potentially harmful bacteria.

Campaigners of the recommendations include Group B Strep Support (GBSS) who believe that the infection could be prevented in many cases; and therefore would like to see comprehensive information and advice about it added to a pregnant woman’s antenatal care, alongside the provision of a screening program for the infection through the NHS at 35-37 weeks.

Faster Diagnosis and Treatment

With all suspected bacterial infections, NICE believe a faster diagnosis is of paramount importance as is the provision of immediate antibiotics treatment, with newborns receiving the drugs within an hour of a diagnosis being made.

“Early-onset neonatal infection can be very serious and, at present, there is much variation in how it is managed, with sometimes unnecessary delays in recognising and treating sick babies“, said Professor Mark Baker, director of the Centre for Clinical Practice at Nice.

Image Credit: Crincon @ Flickr

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