On average in the UK, two babies a day develop group B Strep infection, one baby a week dies and one survives with long-term health issues. The UK introduced a prevention strategy against early-onset group B Strep infection (babies 0-6 days) in 2003 but this has not prevented the rate rising by 19% between 2000/1 and 2014/5 (and the number of babies infected increasing by 37%).
This module will focus on group B Strep infection in babies, and the current UK guidelines aimed at reducing early-onset group B strep infection in newborn babies.
By the end of this module you should be able to:
- explain what group B Strep is and the infections it can cause
- describe how group B Strep can affect babies
- understand the difference between early- and late-onset group B Strep infection
- explain how the risk of a baby developing group B Strep infection can be reduced
- explain how to give new and expectant parents advice and information on group B Strep
- recognise what the signs of group B Strep infections are
- recognise what to do if a baby develops a group B Strep infection
- know what national clinical guidelines on group B Strep recommend
Study time: 45 minutes
Original content: 2020