Approximately 1 in every 100 – 200 pregnant women with GBS colonisation will give birth to a baby with GBS infection

What is Group B Streptococcus (GBS) ?

• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria which normally lives in the intestine, urinary and reproductive tracts of men and women
• It can be found in 10 – 30% of pregnant women’s vagina or rectum
• Most pregnant women who are colonised with GBS have no symptoms. Some of them may develop urinary tract infection caused by GBS
• It is not a sexually transmitted disease

How does GBS infect the baby ?

• From mother to baby during labour
• From natural environment

Poses a serious threat to newborn

• Infection can be classified into early-onset (<1 week after delivery) or late-onset (>1 week to a few months after delivery)
• Early-onset GBS infection in newborn is life-threatening as it may result in sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia etc.
• In Hong Kong, the incidence rate of early-onset GBS infection is 1 in 1000 births

Symptoms of early onset GBS infection ：

1. Fever
2. Difficulty in breathing & feeding
3. Heart rate & blood pressure instability
4. Sepsis, pneumonia & meningitis
5. Gastrointestinal & kidney problems

What is the positive rate of GBS among pregnant women in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, one in every five pregnant women has GBS colonization*

*Data collected from Universal Prenatal Screening for GBS in HK, from 2012 to 2020, offered by the Hospital Authority & the Department of Health

Why Group B Streptococcus EARLY Screening for Pregnant Women is so important ?

*Source : CDC,2020

How can I find out if I have GBS ?

Who should take the test?

•Women at first prenatal visit

•Women having urinary tract infection during pregnancy

•Women at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy

TIPS BOX : There is increasing evidence indicating the association of GBS asymptomatic bacteriuria with miscarriage, premature labour or stillbirth

The Procedures of GBS EARLY Screening for Pregnant Women ( TAT: 2 DAYS )