Steve Brine MP has called for greater awareness of group B Strep, the leading cause of severe infection in babies, after hosting a meeting with charity Group B Strep Support.
Steve hosted a parliamentary event held by Group B Strep Support to mark July’s Group B Strep Awareness Month.
New data shows that two-thirds of new and expectant mothers did not receive any information about group B Streptococcus (also known as group B Strep, GBS or Strep B) from a healthcare professional, despite the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommending that this information should be provided to all pregnant women since 2017.
Group B Strep is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, causing serious infections including sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. In the UK, on average
- two babies a day develop group B Strep infection
- one baby a week dies from group B Strep infection and
- one baby a week recovers from their group B Strep infection with a life-changing disability
Yet most of these cases could be prevented.
Group B Strep Support is calling for midwives to have better training and education on GBS to ensure they’re fully supported to inform expectant parents about prevention, testing that may be available and key signs of infection.
Steve Brine said: “I’m pleased to be raising awareness of group B Strep and the terrible impact it can have on families and their babies. This new data shows that more needs to be done to increase awareness of group B Strep in pregnant women, and making sure they get the information they need to protect their baby.
During Group B Strep Awareness Month, the charity is encouraging people to raise awareness of group B Strep among pregnant women, as part of their #BumpItOn campaign.
Jane Plumb MBE, Chief Executive and founder of charity Group B Strep Support, said:
“Group B Strep is the leading cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK. It’s vital that parents are empowered to make informed choices about their care, so they know how to protect their baby, and what signs of infection to watch for.”
Find out more about group B Strep at gbss.org.uk
