IMPROVING NEONATAL OUTCOME BY STUDYING THE INCIDENCE OF MATERNAL GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (GBS) COLONIZATION AMONGST PREGNANT WOMEN: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background And Objectives: Group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during pregnancy can lead to invasive infections in neonates including meningitis or sepsis. The major risk factor for the neonatal disease is the rectovaginal colonization of GBS during pregnancy and delivery. The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) To screen antenatal patients at 35-37 weeks of gestation for GBS colonization. 2) To determine the prevalence of GBS among pregnant women. 3) To formulate an antibiotic policy with respect to antepartum antibiotic prophylaxis and empiric choice of antibiotics for early-onset neonatal sepsis. 4) To ascertain the maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with GBS colonization. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among 50 obstetric patients at 35-37 weeks of gestation attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital. High vaginal and rectal swabs were collected and sent for culture and sensitivity testing using the standard culture methods. The incidence of positive cultures was noted and was taken up as a reference for statistical calculations. Results: Out of the 50 vaginal samples, 1 sample showed GBS positivity having a prevalence of 2%. Rectal swabs did not grow GBS for all samples. The mother and the newborn did not show any symptoms or signs due to GBS. GBS grown in vaginal culture was highly sensitive to Penicillin's, Cephalosporins, Clindamycin, Daptomycin, Vancomycin, Meropenem, and Linezolid. Conclusion:Based on our ndings, screening patients with routine rectovaginal swabs may not be necessary for our population. Also, empiric treatment with antibiotics for GBS in symptomatic mothers cannot be justied and hence GBS should be considered an insignicant pathogen