The Dangers That GBS and Meningitis Pose For Newborns
Group B Strep is the major frequent source of sepsis and meningitis (a severe illness of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the brain) in infants. As a bacterial infection, group b strep can attack a newborn if it is passed to the child from the mother during the birth process
The bacteria normally grows in the vagina and/or the lower intestine. It is found in about 1 out of every 4 adult women. However, it does not typically cause an active infection or bring about symptoms. Passing of the bacteria from mother to the infant typically takes place in the course of labor and delivery. The child could be exposed to GBS, as an example, if the bacteria travels up from the mother's vagina into the uterus after the membranes (bag of water) rupture. The infant might additionally come in contact with GBS while moving down through the birth canal. In this period, the baby can consume or breathe in the bacteria.
Around 75% of cases of Group b strep in newborns arise in the first week of life, and most appear after only a few hours following birth. This is called "early onset" group b strep. The rest develop a GBS infection from one week to several months after delivery. This is called as "late onset" disease. In general, roughly fifty percent of cases of late onset can be linked to the baby's mother having been colonized with the bacteria. In the remaining situations of late onset, the origin of the infection is unidentified.
Once the baby is exposed to the bacteria, it can get into the baby