Strep B Infections in Babies

According to Baby Center, group B Streptococcus affects approximately 3,500 U.S. newborns each year. It is caused by the Streptococcus agalactiae bacteria. Infants can be infected with group B strep during a vaginal delivery if the mother is carrying the bacteria, or they can be infected after contact with a person carrying the group B bacteria. Group B strep requires immediate and intense treatments to prevent serious consequences such as shock, coma and even death.

Strep B Effects

• Not all babies who are exposed to group B strep will get an infection, but those that do may get very sick. Approximately 2 out of every 100 babies exposed to group B strep will get an infection. An infection contracted from the mother's birth canal may occur directly after birth or may occur several days after birth. According to Baby Center, the strep B infection prevents the baby's immune system from fighting off the bacteria so that the group B streptococcus bacteria can continue to survive and multiply. Group B strep can affect the body by causing excessive clotting of the blood. It can also cause dangerously low blood sugar. In addition, strep be can lead to meningitis and respiratory distress.

Symptoms of a Group B Infection

• Infants who have group B strep may seem unusually stressed. They may also exhibit breathing difficulties and may have a bluish tint to their skin. In addition, they may be very lethargic. The baby may also have an irregular heartbeat or fluctuating body temperature. Group B strep can lead to sepsis and pneumonia. If left untreated, group B strep can cause shock and coma.

Prevention

• According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, group B strep lives harmlessly in 10 to 30% of pregnancy women; however, the bacteria may be very harmful to the newborn baby. Pregnant women who receive proper prenatal care are usually screened for group B strep shortly before their due date between weeks 35 and 37 of pregnancy. The test involves using a swab to obtain a culture sample from the vagina. If a woman tests positive for group B strep, she will be given IV antibiotics such as penicillin during delivery to protect the baby from infection.

  To prevent infections after a baby is born, good hygiene should be used. Parents, caregivers and visitors should wash their hands regularly to kill any bacteria that might infect the baby.

Treatment

• Babies with a group B strep infection need IV antibiotics and also IV fluids. In addition, they may need oxygen therapy, and in severe cases, they may need to be intubated to sustain breathing. Medications may also be needed to treat blood clotting issue or to treat shock. The most severe cases may require extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. This therapy involves using an artificial lung outside of the infant's body to circulate blood through the body.

Long-Lasting Complications

• Those babies that survive group B strep infections may go on to recover completely with no further complications. However, some may suffer from lasting consequences of the infection. Such complications include vision problems, hearing problems and cerebral palsy. Premature babies are at an increased risk of developing long lasting complications.