Questions?What Is Group B Strep Infection?
Group B strep infection is a common bacteria that can come and go naturally in the body. The bacteria are usually not harmful — even to expectant mothers — but they are a common cause of severe newborn infections and can be deadly to babies.
Group B strep infection occurs in 25% of all adult women in the United States. Pregnant women can pass these infections to their babies.
Because group B strep comes and goes, all pregnant women should be tested. If a woman with a group B strep infection gets antibiotics at the right time during labor, she most likely will not pass it to her baby.
Types of GBS Infections
- Early-onset: Develops during the first week of life, with symptoms usually occurring within 24 hours of birth
- Late-onset: Develops weeks to months after birth
Group B Strep Infection Causes and Risk Factors
While anyone can get a group B strep infection, it is most common in newborns.
Some risk factors that increase the chance of passing a group B strep infection from mother to baby include:
- Testing positive for group B strep later in pregnancy
- Developing a fever during labor
- Having more than 18 hours pass after water breaks before having the baby
- Having a past pregnancy with a baby who had a group B strep infection
Black and Hispanic women are at an increased risk of group B strep infection. Additionally, premature babies are more likely than full-term babies to get GBS infections because their immune systems are less developed.
GBS Symptoms in Newborns
Symptoms of group B strep infections can mimic other health problems common in newborns.
These symptoms include:
- Being very sleepy
- Blueish color to the skin
- Breathing fast and making grunting noises
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty feeding
- Difficult to wake up
- Fever
- Having a change in blood pressure
- Having convulsions (seizure)
- Irritability and fussiness
- Limpness
The symptoms of early-onset GBS infection usually appear within the first 24 hours of birth or throughout the first week of life. Late-onset GBS infection symptoms appear within the first few weeks or months.
Diagnosing Group B Strep Infection
Diagnosing group B strep infection is usually done by testing bodily fluids, such as blood or spinal fluid. The fluid is checked to see whether GBS grows in the samples. Since the bacteria need time to grow, the results of this testing can take a few days. Doctors may also perform a chest X-ray.
Additionally, a urine test may be performed if a urinary tract infection (UTI) is suspected. Pregnant women must be aware of the risks of group B strep infection and ensure their doctor has screened them prior to giving birth.
Complications from GBS
Since GBS commonly lives in the human body and is not harmful most of the time, it tends not to cause any symptoms. In some cases, however, it can invade the body and cause disease.
Group B strep can cause the following types of infections:
- Bloodstream infection
- Bone and joint infections
- Meningitis
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
- Skin and soft-tissue infections
In some cases, meningitis can cause brain damage in babies. It can also lead to vision or hearing loss, developmental disabilities, seizures, and even death.
“If babies develop meningitis, it can affect brain development. Because their brains are so fragile, complications like brain bleeding or infection can lead to developmental delays.”
– Andi Lowe, RN, On-Staff Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
2 to 3 in every 50 babies who develop group B strep disease will die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In some pregnant women, GBS can cause UTIs that lead to preterm labor and birth. GBS may also cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
GBS Treatment Options for Newborns
Testing for group B strep infection is routine for expectant mothers and usually happens between 36 and 37 weeks.
If a pregnant woman tests positive for GBS bacteria and gets antibiotics during labor, there is only a 1 in 4,000 chance of passing it to her baby. However, if she does not receive antibiotics during labor, the chances jump to 1 in 200.
Pregnant women are usually given IV antibiotics called beta-lactams, which include penicillin and ampicillin. Antibiotics are started as soon as possible to help prevent problems. If testing and treatment procedures are not performed, medical negligence could be at play.
Newborns who develop GBS infections may need to be treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Additionally, if GBS has caused meningitis or pneumonia, other treatments may be needed, such as IV fluids and breathing help.
“We’re here to listen without judgment — you can tell us anything and everything about what happened.”
– Beth Carter, RN, On-Staff Legal Nurse Consultant Certified
Beth has more than 18 years of specialized experience in labor and delivery. She’s available to hear your story and help you figure out the cause of your child’s injury — and what you can do next.
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2025 Statistics on Group B Strep Infections in Babies
- About 1 in 4 pregnant women carries group B strep without knowing it.
- In the U.S., GBS is a leading cause of serious newborn infections, including meningitis and blood infections.
- Even with screening, hundreds of U.S. babies develop early-onset or late-onset GBS infections each year.
- Some babies with GBS infections do not survive, and others may have permanent brain or developmental delays.
Get Legal Help for Birth Injuries
Doctors in the United States should routinely test all expecting mothers for group B strep infections. Failure to do so can result in severe neonatal infection and even brain damage to the baby.
If your baby is hurt because you were not checked for GBS, it could be considered medical negligence — and legal compensation may be available to you.
Contact the Birth Injury Justice Center to consult with our experienced team of Patient Advocates and get a free legal case review.
