WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 2001: Re: Possible Group B Strep caused baby illness?

Re: Possible Group B Strep caused baby illness?

From: R. Daniel Braun, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 31 May 2001 18:34:11 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: R. Daniel Braun, MD: "Re: Simple Cysts and Complex cysts...what's the difference and should I wait ?.."
Previous message: R. Daniel Braun, MD: "Re: too much Leutinizing hormoned due to not enough Progesterone/Estradiol?"
In reply to: Anne: "Possible Group B Strep caused baby illness?"

At Thu, 31 May 2001, Anne wrote: >
>Hi, I had a baby that was born at 35 1/2 weeks. Here is the history.
>
>At 28 weeks was dilated 1 cm. No progression on dilation until 35
>weeks.
>At 35 weeks, dilated to 3cm and having contractions. Received
>terbutiline to stop contractions. 2 days later, wake up at 2am and
>water broke. Went to hospital at 4am and received antibiotics at 10am
>(never tested during pregnancy or after labor for GBS) and was induced
>starting at 11am to help progress with labor. Baby was born at 1pm.
>
>My son had grunting, flaring, and retractions within 15 minutes of life,
>although is apgars were 9 and 9. He ended up having severe respiratory
>distress and persistent pulmonary hypertension. He was transferred to
>another hospital. His hospitalization summary indicates possible
>sepsis, unknown organism, and pneumonia.
>
>About 8 months after he was born, I was tested for GBS because I was
>curious if this could have been the cause because I was never tested. I
>tested positive. So my questions are this:
>
>1. Should I have received antibiotics sooner than 10am since I was in
>preterm labor with my water broke (earliest I knew was 2am but could
>have been sooner)?

This answer is based on todays recommendations which are diferent than they were even a year ago. Recommendations change as we learn new things about old processes. Today if membranes rupture before 36 weeks, we usually give antibiotics at that time. GBBS is a normal inhabitant of the vagina of one out of every 5 women. It will come and go from time to time. If one is cultured at 28 weeks and is negative one could be positive at 36 weeks and vice versa. It only seems to cause a problem in about 1 of 400 babies that are delivered through the vagina of a Positive Mother. Why doesn't it do anything in the other 399???? We don't know.

>How soon should someone receive antibiotics if their water breaks and
>they are GBS positive?

See above

>
>2. Is there some type of blood test or other test that can determine if
>the baby was infected?

Only at the time that he was infected. I am sure that GBBS cultures were done in the neonatal unit. I hope this helps.

>
>Thanks for your help.
>
>Karen

--
R. Daniel Braun, MD FACOG  FOG

This is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be replacement or substitute for consultation and examination by an appropriate medical professional.  Due to time constraints, private e-mails cannot be answered.

Next message: R. Daniel Braun, MD: "Re: Simple Cysts and Complex cysts...what's the difference and should I wait ?.."
Previous message: R. Daniel Braun, MD: "Re: too much Leutinizing hormoned due to not enough Progesterone/Estradiol?"
In reply to: Anne: "Possible Group B Strep caused baby illness?"

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: