Prevention:

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have established two methods to help reduce the risk of Group B streptococcal septicemia.

• Pregnant women are tested for group B streptococcus at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. If the bacteria is detected, the woman is given antibiotics through an vein during labor.
• Prenatal screening is not done, but a woman who meets certain risk factors is given antibiotics through a vein during labor.

Both sets of procedures are currently accepted as the standard of care. In all cases, proper hand washing by nursery caretakers, visitors, and parents helps prevent the spread of the bacteria after the infant is born.

An early diagnosis can help decrease the risk of some complications.