Prevention of early-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) infection in the newborn: systematic review and recommendations

Shah V, Ohlsson A, with the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Record ID 32003000025
English
Authors' objectives:

The aims of this report are:

(1) To perform a systematic review of the evidence relating to the effectiveness of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis administered to pregnant women in preventing early onset group B streptococcal infection in the newborn

(2) to identify the best preventive strategy.

Authors' recommendations: There is fair evidence that universal screening for group B streptococcal colonization at 35-37 weeks gestation followed by selective intrapartum chemoprophylaxis given to colonized women who have risk factors reduces the incidence of colonization and early onset infection in neonates. This appears to be the most efficient strategy. There is fair evidence that universal screening for group B streptococcal colonization at 35-37 weeks gestation followed by intrapartum chemoprophylaxis of all colonized women reduces the incidence of colonization in neonates and prevents early onset neonatal infection, but this strategy is associated with a much larger proportion of women being treated. There is insufficient evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis given on the basis of risk factors alone.
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.ctfphc.org/
Year Published: 2001
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Chemoprevention
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Pregnancy
  • Streptococcal Infections
Contact
Organisation Name: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
Contact Address: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 117, London, ON, N6G 4X8, Canada. Tel: 519-858-5181; Fax: 519-858-5112
Contact Name: ctf@ctfphc.org
Contact Email: ctf@ctfphc.org
Copyright: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.