Petition Strep B In Pregnancy-The Silent Killer.

The Department of Health Need to ensure that all expectant mothers are given an information sheet on Group B Strep also known as GBS at the first ante natal appointment:All expectant mothers should be tested for GBS.An ECM test should be given to expectant mothers who have tested positive in previous pregnancies,regardless of the result they should receive antibiotics intravenously during labor.where this is not possible the mother and baby must be given antibiotics at the birth.Group B Streptococcus,also known as GBS is the uk's most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies.If a mother known to carry GBS at delivery receives antibiotics as recommended the risk of the baby developing GBS infection falls from 1 in 300 to less than 1 in 6,000.10 to 20% of babies who develop early onset GBS infection(within 2 days of birth) DIE. 1 in 8 will be severely handicapped.More Leaflets-More Information-More Advertising.