Management of Group B streptococcal sepsis risk in well, term newborns.

AIM: To investigate how clinically well, term newborns at risk of early-onset Group B streptococcal (EOGBS) disease are currently managed in the United Kingdom (UK).

METHODS

Review of guidelines of UK neonatal units.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-five guidelines covering 157 neonatal units were received (71% of UK units), three of which were excluded from the review. We found great variation in every aspect for the management of EOGBS disease risk including the following: definition of risk factors; management of at-risk newborns; choice of antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the need for national consensus guidelines and clinical trials into the management of risk babies at risk of EOGBS disease.