Mother-to-baby infections and GBS

What is a mother-to-baby infection?

In the uterus (womb), a baby grows in a sterile environment, but as soon as the mother's amniotic membranes rupture - her waters break - microbes enter this environment and the baby is exposed to bacteria and viruses for the first time.
Some infections can be passed onto the baby while they are still inside the uterus, even before the waters have broken.
As the baby's squeezed out of the uterus through the cervix and into the birth canal, he or she gets covered in the organisms that normally live in the mother's vagina or on her skin.
These may be 'friendly' bacteria that grow in or on the woman (such harmless growth is called 'colonisation'), but may also include harmful microbes, such as the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea or the virus that causes genital herpes.
Bodily fluids, including blood, may cover a baby, exposing them to infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Group B streptococcus (GBS)

One woman in four carries this bacteria in her vagina, although she may have no symptoms and be unaware it's there. Babies can come into contact with it while still in the uterus or during birth. If the mother has had a previous baby with a GBS infection, precautions should be taken.
Some women may go into premature labour (before 37 weeks) because of the infection. Or she may have a premature rupture of amniotic membranes (more than 18 hours before delivery), or a high fever (over 38°C). Premature and low-birth weight babies are more at risk of developing GBS.
GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK. GBS can either present early, within the first 6 days of life, or late onset, occurring after day 6. Early onset is much more common than late onset.
Although most babies who are exposed to it don't develop problems, every year it is estimated that 700 babies develop pneumonia, meningitis or septicaemia as a result of infection. About one in ten of these die.
It isn't known why some babies are vulnerable and others aren't. Babies are given antibiotics in hospital if they show any signs of being unwell. They are also given antibiotics if they are well, but have certain risk factors. Babies have to be given antibiotics through a drip and not orally which means they have to stay in hospital (even if they seem very well).
GBS is difficult to eradicate, but if a woman is known to be at high risk of passing on the infection, she can be given powerful intravenous antibiotics as soon as labour starts. This is usually enough to prevent mother-to-baby infection.
The bacteria may be detected on a vaginal or rectal swab during pregnancy, or in the mother’s urine. In theory this means that screening could be done on all pregnant women to see if they carry the bacteria.
However, at the moment, the evidence is uncertain whether a screening program would be beneficial overall. Different people have different views about a national screening program. In the meantime, research continues to look for an answer.
READMORE:http://www.bbc.co.uk/health