Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is recognised as the primary cause of bacterial infection in new-born babies, resulting in disease at birth and up to 3 months of age.
GBS is a normal body commensal; normally GBS is harmless and needs no treatment. However, for a pregnant woman positive for GBS at the time of delivery, intravenous antibiotics are effective against GBS infection that can affect new-born babies.
Testing for GBS is not routinely available in the NHS.
The total cost of the test is £31.50 and results are usually available within 48 hours from receipt of samples. 2 swabs are required (low vaginal and rectal) and should ideally be taken at 35 - 37 weeks gestation. The test utilises the Enriched Culture Medium (ECM) technique.
Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is a UK charity, founded in 1996. Their 3 main aims are to:
Offer information and support to pregnant women and families affected by GBS.
Inform health professionals and individuals how most GBS infections in newborn babies can be prevented.
Generate continued support for research into preventing GBS infections.
GBSS fully endorses the availability of reliable ante-natal GBS screening but has no links to nor receives any money from any particular laboratory. Indeed they hope many laboratories will offer this test and, as they do, they will provide details of their service.
