Group B Beta-Strep (GBBS) is a bacteria normally found in the vagina of up to 30 percent of women. The largest store is found in the intestine and usually presents no problem.

If the bacteria is present in the birth canal at delivery, there is a chance that the infant could develop a serious infection. Fortunately this occurs very, very rarely. Studies estimate that only one in 1,000 infants that pass through the birth canal at term will have the bacteria (are colonized). A small number of those will develop the serious infection called sepsis.

The situation in the premature infant is much different. Colonization rates are as high as 50 percent and many become ill.

At present, many physicians elect to culture for the bacteria between 35 to 37 weeks and to treat during labor all women who had a positive culture. Others treat if risk factors are present, i.e. prematurity, fever or prolonged rupture of membranes. The treatment during labor is IV penicillin. There is no treatment that will eliminate the bacteria from the body.

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