Group B streptococci (GBS) prevalence in pregnant women in Łódź region: an obstetrical approach and neonatal complications

Background: Group B of Streptococci (GBS) is one of the major reasons of newborns morbidity. Early onset streptococcal disease (EOD) affects newborns, whose mothers were carriers of GBS in their genitourinary tract. The aim of this study was to assess GBS-prevalence in pregnant/labouring women in Łódź region, Poland and to assess its impact on neonatal morbidity. Methods: All 2222 women who gave birth in 2008 in the Department of Perinatology, Medical University of Łódź, were included in the survey. GBS was diagnosed based on vaginal culture. Results: 114 women had a GBS positive vaginal culture (5.13%). Only 13 (11.4%) of GBS positive women presented vaginal GBS culture results on admission. In 2008 only 16.7% of women received appropriate chemoprophylaxis during the labour. EOD affected 12 (10.5%) of infants born from GBS positive mothers. EOD was diagnosed more frequently in group of preterm newborns (9.6-fold increased risk of EOD), when delivery was preceded by PPROM/PROM (9.7-fold increased risk) and when newborns were delivered by cesarean section (1.33fold increased risk). In one case (0.88%) the infant death was noticed. Conclusions: Unknown GBS-status in pregnancy is serious problem in perinatal care leading to neonatal complication, which could be avoided if recommended simple microbiological examination were performed in 35-37 wks.