INTRODUCTION, OBJECT: GBS has been responsible for most cases of severe perinatal infection in the last few decades. 10-30% of women is colonised; the vertical transmission is approximately 50% with pregnant carriers. Since the bacterium is responsible for approximately 50% of perinatal sepsis's, and the same time patients may recover with severe residual symptoms, prevention is of great importance.
Method: The authors screened 1762 out of 2214 women before giving birth at the Obst. and Gyn. Ward of the St. Jones Hosp. and the Obst. and Gyn. Ward of Semmelweis University Kútvölgyi Clinic between May. 1998 and Dec. 1999 following the recommendations issued in 1992 and modified in 1997 by the Committee on Infectious Diseases and the Committee on Fetus and Newborn.
Results: The rate of positive cultures was approximately 10%, and the rate of colonised newborn was 1.36%. No severe diseases with residual symptoms were recorded during the period of examination.
Conclusions: On the bases of the international literature and their own experiences the authors recommend the GBS screening and prophylaxis by antibiotics based on positive cultures and risk factors.