Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies for Group B Streptococcus Colonization in Pregnant Women and Infection in Newborns

Abstract Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS), poses a significant threat to the health of pregnant women and newborns, often leading to life-threatening conditions such as neonatal sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. Hence, investigating the colonization rate of GBS in pregnant women, along with associated risk factors and their implications on adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, remains imperative. Objective: This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of GBS colonization in late-term pregnant women and newborns, and to analyze the factors influencing GBS colonization and infection. Methods: A prospective monitoring was conducted on 7751 pregnant women who underwent GBS screening and delivered between January 2020 and December 2022. GBS diagnosis was conducted via bacterial culture. Results: The colonization rate of GBS in pregnant women was found to be 6.08% (471/7751), with 44 newborns testing positive for GBS colonization (5.68/1000). Among these cases, 27 newborns required hospitalization due to EOGBS infection (3.48/1000). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that maternal GBS colonization, premature rupture of membranes, and maternal chorioamnionitis were independent risk factors for GBS-positive colonization in newborns (P=2.19e-09,P=8.02e-06,P=0.0354). Cesarean section emerged as an independent protective factor against GBS-positive colonization in newborns (P=0.0277). Moreover, maternal GBS colonization, premature rupture of membranes, and maternal chorioamnionitis were identified as independent risk factors for EOGBS infection in newborns(P=7.41e-07,P=0.00133,P=0.01721). Conclusion: Timely identification of GBS-positive colonization in newborns and enhancing the prognosis of infants with EOGBS infection can be achieved through GBS screening and intervention for pregnant women and newborns.