The New Indian Journal of OBGYN. 12(1):183-187

Prevalence of vaginal colonization of group B Streptococci and its effect on maternal and fetal outcome in antenatal women attending outpatient department of O&G, in a tertiary care centre

Sujit Parida, Puspanjali Khuntia, Satyajit Jena, Ranjita Patnaik

ABSTRACT

Background: Group B Streptococcus or Streptococcus Agalactiae is a gram positive bacterium present in the normal flora in the female genitourinary tract, urethra and gastrointestinal tract. Its colonization in pregnant women is one of the primary etiologies of perinatal infections in the newborn. Objective: The aim is to study the prevalence of vaginal colonization of group B Streptococci and its effect on maternal, fetal outcome in antenatal women. Methods: A hospital based prospective observational study comprising 119 samples among the antenatal women attending the outpatient department. They were subjected to routine investigations and high vaginal swab culture and sensitivity (HVS C/S), followed up to analyse adverse outcomes among the mothers and the neonates, with positive and negative results for group B Streptococci. Results: 9(7.6%) women had positive for group B Streptococci (GBS) vaginal colonization and rest 110(92.4%) had negative results. A significant association with p value <0.05 was seen between the positive group B Streptococcus and the outcomes among the mothers like the raised temperature, increased total leucocyte count (TLC), increase incidence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), puerperal infection and premature delivery. Fetal distress, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal sepsis and low birth weight are more in neonates born to these mothers. Conclusion: The transmission rate of GBS from the mother to the fetus was significantly high and was associated with various adverse outcomes among the neonates. Universal screening of pregnant women for GBS and risk based administration of antibiotic to mothers can prevent adverse outcome among the mothers and their newborn.