How Does Strep B Affect a Baby at Birth?

1. Diagnosis

   • Group B strepococcus (GBS) testing is done between the 35th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. The test is important because a positive result dictates a particular protocol at the time of birth to better protect the baby from the effects of the disease. While not all babies born from mothers who test positive will contract the disease, all babies are placed under observation for 24 hours following birth to carefully watch for the telltale signs and symptoms.

   Breathing Problems

   • There are three classic breathing problems associated with Strep B. The baby will make a gasping noise with every breath. His or her nostrils will flair with every breath. The baby’s rib cage will be tight and sunken in. Because these signs point immediately to Strep B, babies who show these symptoms are rushed to intensive care for treatment.

   Kidney Problems

   • As the virus spreads throughout the newborn’s bloodstream, the kidneys will become infected. At this point, babies require potent medicines, and their chance of survival is greatly reduced. Infected kidneys may also scar, causing permanent damage.

   Sepsis

   • If the newborn is left untreated, the virus finally becomes too prevalent to treat and the baby goes into sepsis shock. In rare cases, drastic measures may save the newborn, but fatality rates are very high at this point. Because the virus is releasing toxins directly into the bloodstream, organs can completely shut down.

   Prevention

   • The greatest way to prevent the disease is early diagnosis and treatment. Obstetricians will typically treat mothers with IV doses of penicillin during deliver to reduce the amount of bacteria in the birth canal. For those desiring a natural alternative, midwives have successfully used herbal regimens to eliminate the risk at birth, even to the point of having a negative second Strep B test.

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