RE: Strep B

[P & A Koziol]

Dear Jo Infants who are compromised with Strep B  will present with signs of infection. These are a collection of symptoms which will lead carers to seek intervention and treatment based on 1. symptoms and 2. results of cultures.   As with all infections there will be reactions that are mild to severe- everyone is different.In the first 24 hours a babe will usually present with an elevated temperature ( above 37 C,  over a period of several hours, despite minimal clothing) it may also display a lack of interest in feeding, drowy and sleeping for long periods of time or it may be irritable when roused and difficult to settle. In conjunction with an elevated temperature these babes will usually have an elevated respiratory rate but no change in their oxygen requirements and may have an elevated pulse rate. This is within the first 24 hours. The condition of a babe who is born with infection will continue to deteriorate within this time frame and medical assistance will be called for . Depending on the site of infection (and severity) other specific symptoms will develop and it is common to offer broad spectrum prophylactic antibiotics whilst waiting for cultures to return as they may take 48 hours. Not all babes who succumb to Strep B will show symptoms within the first 24 hours, others will acquire Strep B on their way through the birth canal and will develop symptoms up to 48 hours after birth- the same symptoms just in a different time frame. These infants are often easier to identify as by that time most babes are alert and wakeful for feeds by then so a change  in behaviour is easier to see. The elevated temperature is probably your best marker that there may be a problem.   Hope this info is useful Alesa   Alesa Koziol Clinical Midwifery Educator Melbourne