Routine screening for Strep B withdrawn

Wednesday 14 February 2018

Following a review of screening for GBS in the UK last year a similar study took place in Guernsey and routine screening has since been withdrawn in the island.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a transient bacteria that comes and goes and as such a positive status may change from week to week.

A spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: "Even if someone has been a carrier of GBS in the past does not mean they will be a carrier if they are tested in the future. Indeed, even if a mother has been screened for the bacteria her status may have changed by the time she gives birth."

"In March 2017, the UK National Screening Committee published their review of GBS screening in pregnancy. This included a full analysis of all available evidence and data. The review concluded that a national screening programme i.e. routine screening for the GBS bacteria in pregnant women would not be recommended."

"Guernsey carried out a similar review in September 2017 and decided to withdraw routine GBS screening in pregnancy."

This was based on a number of factors including:

• Carriage of GBS changes with time. A woman may be found carrying GBS when screened at 35 to 37 weeks, but it may no longer be present at labour and vice versa.
• The passage of GBS from the mother to the neonate is not automatic and the rate of early onset group B streptococcus disease is approximately 1 in every 2000 birth.
• The use of antibiotics as a precautionary measure is not without risk to mothers, if we continued to screen the whole population we would be administering antibiotics to approximately 1 in every 5 of the mothers who were admitted in labour. It is also vital to maintain a sensible approach to the use of antibiotics, ensuring they remain effective for those who require them

HSC will continue to offer prophylactic antibiotic administration by an infusion drip to mothers, when they are in labour, who:

• Have had GBS detected in a urine sample during their pregnancy 
• Have had a previous baby who developed either early or late onset GBS disease.
• Develop a high temperature in labour (over 38 °C).
• Go into labour before they are 37 weeks pregnant.
• Are suspected to have developed an infection in labour.
• Have required a vaginal swab taking for another reason during their pregnancy and this has detected GBS.

If any parents have any concerns and would like to discuss this further it is recommended that they contact their midwife.