The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7253 p828
14 June 2003

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Letters to the Editor

Pregnancy

New screening test available

From Mrs H. N. James, MRPharmS

Following your recent series of continuing professional development articles on pregnancy, I would like to bring your attention to a new screening test that was not mentioned.

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacterium carried naturally by one third of the adult population. To adults it rarely causes a problem but to a newborn baby the effects can be fatal. It is the most common cause of bacterial infection in newborn babies in the United Kingdom. Around 700 babies each year become infected, although recent research¹ suggests the true incidence may be three times higher than this. Of the 700, approximately 100 die and 40 are left with long-term effects.

In the UK, GBS is not currently routinely screened for (the NHS test available is not accurate) and there is no national plan for dealing with GBS-carrying women. There are excellent evidence-based guidelines for dealing with known carriers and those deemed to be at risk during labour. Intravenous antibiotics given during labour can significantly reduce the risk to the newborn baby.

In May 2003, a laboratory in the UK (www.omnilabs.co.uk) became the first to offer the much more accurate gold standard screening test that is routinely used in the United States, Canada and Australia. The test is only available privately and costs £18.

A national charity, Group B Strep Support (www.gbss.org.uk), and its members are campaigning to raise awareness of GBS and the new screening test and have had national television and press exposure over recent weeks. In addition, the MP for Whitney, David Cameron, has recently tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament, which at least 97 MPs are supporting. With this increased publicity, I hope the general public will start asking more questions about GBS and it may be pharmacists that they turn to.

Helen James
Sheffield

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