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Beta-StrepBeta-Strep is a bacteria that exists normally in the vagina of approximately 20% of women.  (The bacteria is not always present in these women.)  Although it rarelycauses problems, it can cause infections in certain circumstances.  It can cause premature delivery, premature rupture of membrane, and chorio-amnionitis.  Chorio-amnionitis is an infection of the amniotic fluid and membranes around the baby in the uterus.  This infection can spread to the baby.
The test for Beta-Strep is very simple.  A sterile cotton swab is used to take fluid from the cervix and the swab is sent to the laboratory where a special culture is done.  Your care giver may do cultures for Beta-Strep at your first prenatal visit and then again when you are thirty-six weeks pregnant.  ALWAYS ASK YOUR DOCTOR WHAT THE RESULTS OF YOUR CULTURE WERE.
    Beta-Strep causes more infections in the newborn infant than any otehr bacteria.  Positive Beta-strep tests in a mother requires that antibiotics be started as expeditiously as possible after rupture of membranes in order to prevent infection passing to the baby.  Induction of labor and delivery should be done as expeditiously as feasible in keeping with good obstetric management.   The longer membranes are ruptured in a mother with Beta-strep, the higher the probability that the baby will become infected through Chorio-amnionitis.   In a mother with a heavy growth of Beta-strep, there is a 95% probability of the baby becoming infected, if no treatment is instituted and membranes are ruptured beyond twenty-four hours.  Prolonged rupture of membranes can cause chorio-amnionitis.  The first indication of this infection can be a fever in the mother.
    If a mother is very close to delivery when a fever starts, the care giver may wait until teh baby is born before giving Mom antibiotics.  This way the baby can be cultured for infection and antibiotics started while waiting for culture results to be returned from the lab.
    If a mother has prolonged rupture of membranes (more than twenty-four hours), fever, and is treated in labor with antibiotics, the pediatricians should be notified and be present for the delivery of a possibly septic (infected) baby.  Septic babies can have respiratory distress (problems breathing), as well as other problems, and early treatment by trained personnel can affect the baby's outcome.  The baby is still cultured for infection but must remain on antibiotics longer since the cultures may not show anything because the mother was treated with antibiotics before birth.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP:
Beta-Strep in Pregnancy Facts from the NIH
Seach their Database for Beta-Strep Be Aware of Group B Strep
Increase Your Awareness of Group B Strep Summary of Info on Beta-Strep
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Excerpts from: The Family Pregnancy © 1995: MJ Bovo, The Family Pregnancy, Second Edition, currently in production, and Do You Have Any Questions?  © 1995: MJ Bovo, are contained within this page. Reprints are not permitted under any circumstances.  Please see Terms of Use for full expanation.  Violations of the Copyright Code are taken seriously and appropriate action IS TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATERS.