Attention moms: what are group B strep infections?

This bacterium can appear in the first week of life if the babies have been infected with GBS before or during delivery.

Late-onset can occur between the first week of life and three months. It can be contracted by the mother, another family member, or anyone close to the baby.

Premature babies are more likely to get GBS infections than full-term babies.

This bacterium can cause diseases such as meningitis, blood infections, and pneumonia.

You must pay close attention to the symptoms that babies present:

Fever

Feeding difficulties

Irritability

Fatigue

In the event of any of these symptoms, a pediatrician should be consulted immediately. If there are suspicions, the doctor will order the necessary tests that may be blood or spinal cord culture and may also add a chest X-ray if pneumonia is suspected.

Detecting the disease in the mother is more difficult because it presents itself without symptoms. That is why periodic check-ups are necessary because infections in the urinary tract or in the blood can help with an early diagnosis.

Treatment in infants is withinjectable antibiotic . There is no vaccine, although several investigations have been carried out and continue to be carried out to achieve it.

25% of pregnant women have the GBS bacteria in the rectum or vagina. It is recommended that all pregnant women be tested for the bacteria between 35 and 37 weeks of their pregnancy. This does not guarantee the late appearance of infections, but it is always helpful to have more information about the mother’s condition.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

Resources: White Memorial Community Health Center
Location: 1828 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Suite 5000, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone number: (323) 987-1200
Link: https://wmchealthcenter.org/

Clinica Romero
Location: 2032 Marengo St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone number:
Link: https://clinicaromero.com/

These clinics offer prenatal and pediatric care for low-income families. For other prenatal and pediatric care options it also depends on their Medical insurance so we can’t provide information on specific doctors or clinics.