The usefulness of the universal culture-based screening and the efficacy of intrapartum prophylaxis of group B Streptococcus infection

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of universal culture-based GBS screening at 35–37 weeks of gestation, assess the efficacy of intrapartum antibiotic administration (IAP) and investigate factors influencing the infection rate in neonates.Methods: Out of 1653 pregnant women 304 (18.4%) further analyzed were GBS positive directly before the delivery, among them 69 were false GBS negative on antenatal screening. Various variables regarding parturients’ and newborns’ characteristics were taken into account in order to achieve the objective of the study.Results: Out of 304 GBS-positive patients directly before the delivery, culture-based screening was positive in 72.4%, while 22.7% presented with GBS-negative screening and received no IAP. No single culture-confirmed early-onset GBS disease was observed.Conclusions: IAP is an effective way of early-onset GBS disease prevention, however prenatal screening would be most efficient if performed intrapartal.