GBS can be transmitted to baby even when mother has tested negative
As many as sixty percent of all infants who suffer a Group B Strep infection are, according to a recent study, born to women who tested negative for the bacteria during routing screening. At least in part this may be due both to the characteristics of the Group B Bacteria as well as to how pregnant women are screened for the Group B Bacteria. The GBS bacteria can colonization in a woman can occur at any time and does not require any long latency period. Because screening of pregnant women generally takes place between weeks 35 and 37 of the pregnancy, it is possible for the GBS bacteria to colonize after the woman is screened but prior to labor and delivery and then be transmitted to the baby. This can result in a birth injury where the baby is infected by the bacteria and can suffer lifelong disabilities.