Group B Strep Information List; Listen, Learn, Spread the Word


The Group B Strep Mailing List

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is found in the in the vagina and/or lower intestine of 10-35% of all healthy, adult women.

Approximately 8,000 babies in the U.S. contract serious GBS disease each year. Up to 800 of these babies may die from it and up to 20% of the babies who survive GBS-related meningitis are left permanently handicapped.

In newborns, GBS is the most common cause of sepsis (infection of the blood) and meningitis (infection of the fluid and lining surrounding the brain) and is a frequent cause of newborn pneumonia. GBS disease is more common than other, better known, newborn problems such as rubella, congenital syphilis, and spina bifida. Some babies that survive, especially those who develop meningitis, may develop tong-term medical problems, including hearing or vision loss, varying degrees of physical and learning disabilities, and cerebral palsy.

On this mailing list, the goal is to inform ourselves about GBS,its effects and treatment, so that we may increase awareness of it among OB/GYN's, midwives, childbirth instructors and the general community while lending a a listening ear to those who have lost babies to GBS or who have had children become sick from it. We are excited about giving each other support and helping each other educate other people so they don't have to go through what we did.

On the list we have , pediatricians, midwifes, ob/gyn's, GBS specialists and nurses to help answer your questions. Most of us are just moms or dads with first hand expierence with GBS.

If you have further questions contact me.sandberg@comcast.net.

Take care, and thank you for joining!