Group B Strep

Group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteria can cause serious complications if not managed properly during the birth process. One to four out of every 1,000 newborns contract a Group B Strep infection from their mothers during childbirth. Life-threatening complications include blood poisoning (Sepsis), meningitis and pneumonia.

A pregnant woman with GBS can be easily treated with intravenous antibiotics when labour begins, to reduce the risk of infection in the newborn.

There is no standard screening procedure for GBS in Australia and routine testing is not undertaken. Where testing is done, it is carried out by vaginal swab. As negative swabs can later become positive, screening should be left until late pregnancy (35-37 weeks).

Our health law team can advise if your baby’s problems have been caused by complications from Group B strep due to negligence on the part of a hospital, midwife, or other health professional. Special focus should be given to the adequacy and timing of screening and the nature of treatment once the pregnant woman has tested positive for GBS.