The Effect of Perinatal GBS Screening and IAP on Maternal and Infant Prognosis

GBS, also known as Streptococcus lactis, is the leading cause of infection during pregnancy, premature birth and neonatal infections. It is also a common species found in the vagina and rectum of women. Its presence is intermittent, temporary and persistent [1]. However, reproduction in the female vagina is a high-risk indicator for neonatal diseases and premature birth [2] . Normally, there is a balance between the microflora in the vagina and the host's environment. However, if the level of oestrogen rises in the pregnant woman's body, advantageous bacteria such as vaginal glycogen and lactobacilli will proliferate, resulting in a disturbance of the originally balanced microflora in the organism, which is most obvious in the late stage of pregnancy. The edema of the vaginal mucosa and other factors can easily induce GBS infection in the genital tract, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes and threatening the safety of the newborn.[3] GBS infection is often associated with sepsis, urinary tract infections, endometritis, and fetal infections in pregnant women. Failure to detect GBS in the antenatal period may increase the risk of infection in both the mother and the newborn[4]-[6] . The most common type of GBS infection is early-onset group B streptococcus (EOGBS) in newborns, which manifests itself as an infection within 7 days of birth and is characterized by respiratory symptoms and pneumonia[7] . The incidence of vaginal/rectal GBS in pregnant women is 10-30% [8] . The prevalence of GBS in low-income countries, Africa, and black women is higher, and the incidence of neonatal disease is higher, too [9]-[10] .