Prevention of perinatal group B Streptococcal disease. Updated Spanish recommendations 2012

It has been a significant reduction in neonatal group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Spain following the widespread application of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. In 2010, new recommendations have been published by the CDC and this fact, together with the new knowledge and experience available, has driven to the participating scientific societies publishing these new recommendations. In these recommendations is advised to study all pregnant women at 35-37 gestation weeks` to determine if they are colonized by GBS and to administer intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) to all colonized mothers. Microbiological methods to identify pregnant GBS carriers are updated and intrapartrum antibiotic prophylaxis in preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes and the management of the newborn in relation to GBS carrier status of the mother are also revised.