Question reference: S4W-18499
- Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 20 November 2013
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 December 2013
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it issues regarding testing for group B streptococcus infection in late pregnancy, and when it last reviewed the guidance.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises the recently revised guidance called ‘The Prevention of Early-onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease’ issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists in June 2012. This recommends an approach to antibiotics administration based on maternal risk factors. Prevention of late-onset group B streptococcus (GBS) and treatment of established GBS disease is not considered beyond initial antibiotic therapy.