Screening
Screening for sepsis in the asymptomatic population is not useful. However, screening for maternal colonisation with group B streptococci (GBS) in pregnancy has been shown, in some settings, to reduce the burden of GBS disease in newborns.[90]
GBS screening in pregnancy
Screening for GBS is controversial, and is not practiced in all parts of the developed world. For example, there is no screening programme in the UK as there is a concern that current screening tests do not adequately identify carriers of GBS whose babies will go on to have invasive GBS disease.
US guidelines for the prevention of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) due to GBS were introduced in 2002, recommending the universal screening of all pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks' gestation. The aim of the screening was to identify women at risk of transmitting GBS to the newborn; these women were to receive intrapartum antibiotics. Dramatic reduction in EOS due to GBS was achieved following the introduction of this programme.[91] The guidelines and the effects of the screening programme are regularly reviewed and updated. The latest version of the guideline continues to recommend universal screening at 36 or 37 weeks' gestation.[92]
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer