Testing women for group B strep during pregnancy could save Britain GBP37 million a year

Oct 1 2007

A research paper confirms what medical charity Group B Strep Support has been saying for years - that testing pregnant women for group B strep would save lives and save the government money.

The article in the British Medical Journal reports that most group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection in newborn babies could be prevented by changing current best practice. The report found that offering testing for group B Strep carriage to all pregnant women was the most cost effective option, with antibiotics being offered in labour where GBS is found.

The research estimates that this will save the Government GBP37 million a year.

Jane Plumb, Chairman of Group B Strep Support said:

"It would be madness to ignore this crucial piece of research. It will save money. It will save babies' lives. And it will save parents having to stand by as their baby suffers needlessly. That's got to be a win-win strategy, which the Government has to implement and now!"

Group B Strep causes infections such as meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia. It affects 700 babies every year in the UK, killing 75 and leaving 40 with serious long-term mental or physical problems. GBS infection can usually be prevented by giving antibiotics during labour to women whose babies are most at risk of developing these infections.

The research paper evaluates the cost-effectiveness of various strategies for preventing neonatal infection with GBS and other bacteria. The authors say that current best practice is not cost-effective. Current best practice involves offering intravenous antibiotics only to women in high risk situations - who have previously had a baby with a GBS infection, who have incidentally tested positive for GBS during pregnancy or who have a fever in labour.

The research results show the most cost-effective option that minimises antibiotic usage is to treat all women in premature labour as well as all those in high risk situations, and to test all other pregnant women and then treat those found to carry GBS. The report recommends immediate extension of current practice.

Jane Plumb continues: 'We need to offer women testing for group B Strep carriage late in pregnancy and, if GBS is found, then they need to decide, with their health professionals, what action if any to take in labour''.