What is “Group B Streptococcus?”

Group B Streptococcus is a common intestinal bacteria with 10 ~ 35 % of healthy women finding the traces of such bacteria in the lower gastrointestinal tract or the vagina. Most women carrying such bacteria will not be attacked or require special treatment.

Why do pregnant women need to take Group B Streptococcus test?

Latest studies show that the carrier rate of vagina in Taiwanese pregnant women is 18-20%. Pregnant women infected with Group B Streptococcus could expose newborn in source of infection through vaginal labor and nearly 1 ％ of newborns could be infected.

Group B Streptococcus is the most common cause of pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis in newborns, which could also trigger premature birth, stillbirth or miscarriage, bringing tremendous health threats to babies.

Targets of test

35-37 week pregnant women who are about to go into labor or pregnant women showing signs of premature birth.

Testing method

The physicians will use Q-tip to take samples from the vagina, perineum and anal intestines for bacteria breeding.