Prevalence of Group B streptococcal infection colonisation in pregnant women and their offspring in the Middle East (original) (raw)

Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2002

Abstract

Introduction Maternal and neonatal Group B streptococcal infection (GBS) has long been recognised as an important public health problem in much of the world. Wide variation in the colonisation rate was recognised due to geographic location, ethnicity, culture methods and sites cultured. Asymptomatic colonisation is thought to be between 15 and 40% of pregnant women (ACOG Technical Bulletin, 1992). There is quite a difference in the prevalence of neonatal early onset group B streptococcal sepsis (EOGBS), reported in the United States to be 1–4 per 1000 live births, while in the United Kingdom it is 0·3 cases per 1000 live births (Mayon-white, 1985). Although intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis is widely accepted, there is still considerable debate as to the best strategy for identifying women who are GBS carriers. The CDC (1996) recommendation for GBS infection prophylaxis has advised that local responsible health agencies should establish surveillance systems to monitor the prevalence of neonatal EOGBS disease. Our study focuses on defining the prevalence of GBS colonisation in pregnant women and their offspring (and defining the prevalence of EOGBS disease in neonates) in the Middle East, while trying to identify ways by which neonatal EOGBS disease could be reduced.

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