Key messages

  • Maternal streptococcus agalactiae, or Group B streptococcus (GBS) colonisation, can lead to early onset sepsis (EOS) infection in the baby and associated morbidity.
  • Identifying women who are at risk of having a baby with GBS enables treatment to be given during labour to reduce the risk of transmission of infection to the baby.
  • There is limited high quality scientific evidence and a lack of expert consensus on whether a risk based or a universal screening approach should be used.
  • Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to women at risk of transmitting GBS to their baby, is associated with a reduction in (but does not eliminate) EOS. However it does not prevent late onset sepsis (LOS).
  • Treat all unwell babies for suspected sepsis, irrespective of maternal GBS status or adequate IAP.

Please note that some guidelines may be passed their review date. The review process is currently paused. It is recommended that you also refer to more contemporaneous evidence.

GBS is a transient bacterium that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, vagina and urethra in 15-25% of pregnant women (asymptomatic carriers of GBS).

GBS is transmitted to the baby during birth in approximately 1–2 per 1000 live births and can lead to serious infection in the baby.

Access the full clinical guideline

Get in touch

Clinical Guidance Team
Safer Care Victoria
clinicalguidance@safercare.vic.gov.au

Version history

First published: June 2019
Review by: TBA

Uncontrolled when downloaded

Related links

PIPER
Drug calculator
Statewide incubators
Victorian Children’s Tool for Observation and Response (ViCTOR)
Victorian newborn resuscitation project
RCH clinical practice guidelines
Immunisation handbook
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