Anyone know anything about Strep B ?

[throckenholt]

Hi,

I just heard that a friend had her baby 3 weeks (6.5 lb) early on Sunday - turns out he was very ill with Strep B infection and had to be airlifted to Great Ormond Street, and couldn't breathe on his own. Apparently they nearly lost him . He is still there - don't know any more details.

I have heard of strep B but know nothing of the details - can anyone enlighten me.

Is he likely to be ok ?

[psychomum5]

Oh your poor friend, she must be going thro hell.

I do know a little, as one of my best friends is a carrier, but I don't know how to explain without scaring you. It can be lifethreatening should it get passed on to a newborn (as you have heard), but it is also treatable once they know about it.
My friend was lucky as they knew before she gave birth, and they pumped her full of antibiotics during labour, and then gave to the baby at birth. She has had three boys now since finding out, and all are fine.

As for more info.....go to one of the many medical websites and type it in.....you can get good info from them. I would give a link, but don't actually know how too .

Hope things turn out to be ok for your friend and the new babe.

hugs...xxxxxxxx

[throckenholt]

hopefully they will be ok - haven't spoken to her - just got a message through a mutual friend. Apparently the hospital think he has truned the corner now because they have been able to reduce the oxygen a bit.

It is her second baby (first was a home birth with no problems). Are you always a carrier - was she just lucky that her first baby didn't get it ?

I have heard that in the USA they worry about it a lot but over here it is rarely mentioned - any idea why ?

[psychomum5]

my friend had two babies before she found she was a carrier...they were born without probs, so she was never tested.
She was tested when carrying her third baby, as she went into prem labour, and they found it then. She still tested positive when having her last two, so I guess we'll never know when she became a carrier. At least it has been found now, so if your friend did go on to have another baby, they will keep a close eye.

I agree that in the USA they do seem more on the ball with regards to testing for it, but then it costs money, and our NHS wouldn't fund for tests unless they feel a need

[Marina]

Here's a link to two archived threads on GB Strep, throckenholt. It's very good to hear your friend's baby is making good progress as sadly this condition is a major cause of stillbirth and neonatal death in the UK
Very best wishes to them all, hoping he's out of hospital very soon

[butterflymum]

Marina has kindly given you a link to the two previous threads....just wanted to add that if your friend is in need of support/someone to talk to/ask questions of, then please do urge her to contact Group B Strep support at the link available on the other threads.

Hopefully your friend's baby will make a good recovery...it saddens me that this issue continues to receive so little attention in many ante-natal groups and hospitals...people are campaigning for this to change but meanwhile babies lives are still at risk.

It is good that you are interested to know more and are a position to pass this info to your friend.

butterfly