Group B Streptococcus in newborns: what WHO says about transmission and infant disease

What is Group B Streptococcus?

WHO describes GBS as a bacterium commonly carried in the human gut or vagina. It is usually harmless in adults but can contribute to serious infections in infants.

How can newborns be exposed?

WHO states that GBS is most often passed from mother to baby during childbirth. Babies can also acquire GBS from the environment or caregivers after birth, including in health-care settings.

What illnesses can GBS cause in infants?

WHO identifies sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis among serious illnesses associated with GBS in newborns.

What do early- and late-onset GBS mean?

WHO describes early-onset disease as occurring within the first week after birth and late-onset disease as occurring from 7 to 89 days after birth.

What signs does WHO describe?

WHO lists features such as fever, poor feeding, lethargy, irritability, difficulty breathing and bluish or pale skin. These features are not specific to GBS and cannot identify the cause of illness on their own.