Maternal Penicillin Allergy and Infant Outcomes: Results from a Large, Administrative Cohort

Abstract

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis. Pregnant women are screened for colonization, and antibiotics are administered during labor to those who test positive to prevent newborn infection. Penicillin or ampicillin are given to women without a penicillin allergy, and cefazolin, clindamycin, or vancomycin are administered to women who report a penicillin allergy. We examined the outcomes of infants born to GBS-positive mothers with and without a reported penicillin allergy.