Group B Strep
Pronunciation: groop bee strep
Also written as: GBS — Group B Streptococcus
Bacterial infection screening performed in pregnant women between 35-37 weeks to prevent neonatal transmission during delivery.
Full Definition
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium found in the vaginal and rectal areas of healthy women that can cause serious infections in newborns if transmitted during delivery. Routine screening involves vaginal and rectal cultures performed between 35-37 weeks of pregnancy. Women who test positive receive intravenous antibiotics during labor to reduce the risk of early-onset neonatal GBS disease, which can cause sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in infants. Without prevention, GBS transmission occurs in about 50% of deliveries from colonized mothers, but antibiotic prophylaxis reduces this risk by 80%.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as GBS. Distinguish from Group A Strep, which causes different infections.
In Context
- "Group B Strep screening at 36 weeks was positive, requiring intrapartum antibiotics." — Prenatal laboratory results
- "Penicillin prophylaxis was initiated due to unknown Group B Strep status and preterm labor." — Labor and delivery protocol