Prenatal Infection Prevention Month: Protecting Mothers and Babies from Group B Strep

February is Prenatal Infection Prevention Month,?serving?as a crucial reminder of the risks posed by prenatal infections and the importance of early detection and prevention strategies. Among these infections, Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant yet often overlooked threat to both pregnant individuals and their unborn babies. Understanding the risks and taking proactive measures can help ensure healthier outcomes for mothers and newborns.

What is a Prenatal Infection?

Prenatal infections occur when germs cause illness during pregnancy, potentially affecting both the pregnant individual and the baby. Various microorganisms, including GBS, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Listeria, and the Zika virus, can lead to severe complications. However, through awareness, screening, and prevention strategies, many of these infections can be managed effectively.

The Importance of GBS Testing

GBS is one of the most common causes of neonatal infections, including meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia. Unfortunately, carrying GBS often presents no symptoms, making testing the only reliable way to determine its presence. If a pregnant individual is found to be carrying GBS, they can receive antibiotics during labor?to minimize the risk of transmission to the newborn.

Guidelines

Healthcare providers should adhere to established guidelines to ensure the best outcomes for pregnant individuals and newborns. For example:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): ACOG ?recommends universal GBS screening between 36-37 weeks?of pregnancy and the administration of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for carriers.

Challenges in GBS Detection

Traditional methods for GBS detection face several challenges:

• Culture-based methods?take 18-36 hours and may yield false negatives (18.5%) due to prior antibiotic use.
• Immunoassay-based tests?provides quick result with low sensitivity.
• Molecular tests?provide better accuracy but?usually require around two hours for results.

Clinical urgency?in cases of premature labor or rupture of membranes?necessitates faster, more reliable testing.

A Revolutionary Solution: Macro amp; Micro-Test GBS+Easy Amp

To address these challenges, the Macro & Micro-Test Easy Amp System?provides an innovative, rapid, and accurate solution for antenatal and intrapartum GBS testing.

This solution?offers:

• Positive results in just 5 minutes, ensuring timely and effective decision-making.
• On-demand molecular testing?enabled?by independent module of Easy Amp, allowing flexibility in clinical settings.
• Accurate vaginal/rectal swab results, minimizing false negatives.

Promoting Healthier Pregnancies Through Awareness and Testing

Prenatal Infection Prevention Month?highlights the need for proactive healthcare approaches to prevent prenatal infections. Healthcare providers play a vital role in educating patients on healthy pregnancy behaviors, the importance of screening, and available diagnostic advancements.

By integrating rapid and reliable solutions like the Macro & Micro-Test GBS+Easy Amp, we can enhance prenatal care, reduce neonatal complications, and ensure safer deliveries for mothers and their babies.

Contact for more information: [email protected]

?