Group B Strep is the leading cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK, and the most common cause of meningitis in babies under age 3 months. On average:
- 2 babies a day develop group B Strep infection
- 1 baby a week dies from group B Strep infection
- 1 baby a week recovers from group B Strep infection with disability
This year’s Group B Strep Awareness Month focuses on empowering new and expectant parents to make informed decisions about their and their baby’s care. We want them to be fully aware of what group B Strep is, how to prevent these infections in newborn babies and their options for testing. It is important for all parents to be alert for the signs of group B Strep infection in their baby, as early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.
To help raise awareness, Group B Strep Support is asking everyone to ‘Get Informed and Get Involved’ by sharing our resources and social posts during July and using the hashtags #GBSAM and #GBSAwareness.
Ranee Thakar, President of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said:
‘Feedback from expectant and new parents highlights that we need to improve awareness around group B Strep, including the availability of testing.The RCOG’s green-top guideline on group B Strep recommends that all pregnant women should be provided with information on group B Strep. It is vital parents are given high quality information by their doctors and midwives so they can make informed choices about their care. This will contribute to positive outcomes for mothers and birthing people and their babies and help reduce life-threatening group B Strep infections in babies.‘
As part of Awareness Month, Group B Strep Support will be launching the eLearning module on group B Strep in late July. This educational resource will provide doctors and midwives with the knowledge to help pregnant women and birthing people in their care make informed choices about testing and treatment.
The module will:
- Give midwives and doctors a comprehensive overview of group B Strep
- Cover common questions expectant parents and families ask about group B Strep
- Help midwives and doctors speak confidently about group B Strep
This Group B Strep Awareness Month, let’s all work together to raise greater awareness and create more knowledge about group B Strep so that fewer babies are affected by these horrible infections.
Tell new and expectant parents to find out about group B Strep from their midwives, doctors or Group B Strep Support
Get involved by hosting a bake sale to raise for GBSS, order an Awareness pack with posters and leaflets, or order a pin badge from our online shop to help us save babies’ lives.
Resources
RCOG Greentop Guideline 36 Group B Strep Disease https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg36/
Patient Information Leaflet https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/xtmfktbh/pi-gbs-pregnancy-newbornnewlogo21.pdf
