Group B Streptococcus in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Neonatal Period

Group B Streptococcus in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Neonatal Period brings together field experts to provide a comprehensive understanding of group B streptococcus (GBS), the most common cause of perinatal infection today. It discusses this important bacterium and infection within pregnancy, both obstetric and fetal aspects during labor, and in the infant. The book opens with a global view of GBS, recounting the history and variation in risk factors and outcomes across regions. Subsequent chapters cover not only the biology, epidemiology and pathology, but also intricately describe infection management, treatment, and prevention options. Both early onset as well as late onset GBS disease are discussed. Further, written accounts of lived experiences with varying outcomes are included, along with strategies to aid practitioners in improving care and understanding of patients and families impacted by GBS. The book concludes with clarification of common misconceptions and discussion of future directions in prevention and treatment options. This comprehensive reference offers evidence-based insights aimed at enhancing practice and ultimately improving perinatal outcomes.

Table of Contents:
1. Group B Streptococcus bacterium – its structure and characteristics, where is it found in nature, the extent of human carriage, the biology of infection 2. The epidemiology of human carriage, including the effects of age, racial group, culture (ethnicity), socio-economic status 3. The discovery of the role of GBS in human disease, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and the neonatal period 4. GBS infection during pregnancy 5. GBS infection during labor – obstetric and fetal aspects 6. Early onset GBS disease– characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment. 7. Late onset GBS disease 8. The long-term effects of GBS infection. 9. The effects of GBS infection on parents and families 10. Current strategies to prevent early-onset GBS disease 11. Vaccines, their development and promise 12. Myths and fallacies about GBS

About the Author :
Philip J Steer is Emeritus Professor of obstetrics at Imperial College London, having been appointed Professor in 1989. He was Editor-in-Chief of BJOG from 2005-2012 and is now Editor Emeritus. He has published 156 original research papers and 117 reviews, editorials, and invited papers. He is an editor of “High Risk Pregnancy – Management Options” (Cambridge University Press) with the 6th edition now in preparation. He has been President of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine and President of the Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Royal Society of Medicine. He is an honorary fellow of the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of South Africa and of the American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society. Jane Plumb is Chief Executive of Group B Strep Support (GBSS), the charity she co-founded in 1996 after her baby died from group B Strep infection. She is Women's Voices Lead for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, chairs the Advisory Council for the Confederation of Meningitis Organizations, is a trustee of the Meningitis Research Foundation, and a member of the WHO’s Extended Technical Taskforce on Defeating Meningitis by 2030. Jane was awarded an MBE in 2012, fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in 2020, and a Fellowship Honoris Causa by the RCOG in 2021. Jane has been involved in many GBS research projects, including co-leading patient and public involvement for the GBS3 trial, being involved in the Department of Health's priority-setting workshops for GBS research, and serving on several NICE guideline committees.