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Pregnancy and Group B Streptococcus

Written by: Henry Zuniga, MD

Dear Dr. Zuniga,

What are the pregnancy complications of Group B Streptococcus?

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is present in up to 40% of pregnant women. GBS causes no harm to the mother, however it may be transmitted to the baby through the birth canal. In a newborn infant, the effects can be inflammation of the

baby's blood, lungs, brain, or spinal cord. The infection can be life threatening to the infant in 5% of the cases.

Due to the serious complications, GBS cultures are routinely taken from the mother's vagina at 35 to 37 weeks. If the cultures are positive, antibiotics are given to the mother when she is in labor. The most common treatment is penicillin or ampicillin.


If GBS cultures are not taken, treatment is given on a individual basis. Common indications for treatment of the mother with penicillin or ampicillin are:

  • Preterm Labor
  • Bag of water rupture prior to 9 months for longer     than 18 hours
  • Prior infected baby
  • Fever during labor

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