GBS Infections (Neonatal)

Asymptomatic newborns that are exposed to GBS positive mothers, but have received adequate intra-partum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) do not require therapy, instead they should be observed for 48 hours.

In symptomatic infants, empiric therapy is intended to broadly cover neonatal sepsis including GBS.

Once GBS is identified as the sole causative organism and the patient has improved clinically, it is recommended that antimicrobial therapy be changed to penicillin G alone from one of the empiric regimens described elsewhere.

Penicillin monotherapy can begin after resolution of bacteremia and in infants with meningitis who have had documentation of sterilization of CSF after repeat lumbar puncture at 24-48 hours of therapy.

This is due to evidence showing improved synergy when using aminoglycoside combination therapy.