EP172 - GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS COLONIZATION IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND NEONATES: INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS (ID 1428)
Abstract
Backgrounds:
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The neonatal disease is divided into early-onset attributed to vertical transmission from a colonized mother and late-onset disease. Universal screening, including rectovaginal culture swabs and peripartum prophylaxis administration to GBS+ women, is a useful tool to prevent early-onset disease. The colonization rate varies worldwide and data in Greece are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine GBS colonization rate in our region.
Methods
All pregnant women and their newborns in two major hospitals of Crete from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively included in the study. GBS colonization by vaginal cultures was evaluated and potential risk factors (age, nationality, residence area, multiparity, comorbidities, visits, gestational age when culture performed, mode of delivery) were recorded. The rates of antibiotic prophylaxis and neonatal disease were, also, assessed.
Results:
A total of 7,362 pregnant women was reviewed, 4,984 (67.7%) underwent screening and 83 (1.7%) were colonized by GBS. Most of GBS+ women (34.9%) were 31-35 years old, 45.8% examined early in gestation (<35th week) and only 9.6% appeared to have comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension). Multiparity (³2) was associated with colonization in 66.3%, whereas other factors were not determinant. All GBS+ women were given peripartum prophylaxis and none of their newborns developed disease. Nevertheless, from the rest of neonatal population, 3 developed early and 1 late-onset disease.
Conclusions/Learning Points:
GBS colonization in our area is among the lowest reported. Peripartum antibiotic prophylaxis seems to sufficiently prevent transmission, but there is still morbidity. Thus, not only better compliance to recommendations, but also more effective prevention strategies, including maternal vaccination, are needed.
