Group B Streptococcus in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Neonatal Period
- 1st Edition - February 27, 2026
- Latest edition
- Editors: Philip Steer, Jane Plumb
- Language: English
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Neonatal Period brings together field experts to provide a comprehensive understanding of group B streptococcus (GBS),… Read more
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) 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 babies 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.
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 babies 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.
- Provides a comprehensive overview of Group B Streptococcus disease
- Utilizes an evidence-based approach to cover GBS identification, diagnosis, and treatment in pregnancy, birth, and the neonate
- Explains both the short and long-term impact on patients and families
- Synthesizes current and future prevention strategies
Obstetricians, midwives, neonatologists, neonatal nurses
1. Introduction to Group B Streptococcus in pregnancy: Past, present, and future
Joy E. Lawn and Proma Paul
2. Group B Streptococcus bacterium — its structure and characteristics, where it is found in nature, the extent of human carriage, and the biology of infection
Jim Gray and Gopal Rao
3. The epidemiology of human GBS carriage
Caroline Trotter and Merryn Voysey
4. The discovery of the role of GBS in human disease, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and the neonatal period
Mark Turrentine
5. Group B streptococcus infection during pregnancy
Philip J. Steer
6. Group B streptococcus infection during labor: Obstetric and fetal aspects
Philip J. Steer
7. Early- and late-onset neonatal GBS disease―Characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment
Alison R. Bedford Russell
8. The longer-term impacts of GBS infection for children and families
Samantha Sadoo, Suba Guruprasad, Devika Thakur, Kirsty Le Doare and Cally Tann
9. The effects of Group B streptococcus infection on parents and families
Sam Jones
10. Early onset neonatal group B Streptococcus prevention in the United Kingdom and the role of the Group B Strep Support charity
Jane Plumb
11. Vaccines, their development, and promise
Eva Galiza, Konstantinos Karampatsas and Paul T. Heath
12. Myths and fallacies about group B streptococcus
Oliver Plumb
Joy E. Lawn and Proma Paul
2. Group B Streptococcus bacterium — its structure and characteristics, where it is found in nature, the extent of human carriage, and the biology of infection
Jim Gray and Gopal Rao
3. The epidemiology of human GBS carriage
Caroline Trotter and Merryn Voysey
4. The discovery of the role of GBS in human disease, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth, and the neonatal period
Mark Turrentine
5. Group B streptococcus infection during pregnancy
Philip J. Steer
6. Group B streptococcus infection during labor: Obstetric and fetal aspects
Philip J. Steer
7. Early- and late-onset neonatal GBS disease―Characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment
Alison R. Bedford Russell
8. The longer-term impacts of GBS infection for children and families
Samantha Sadoo, Suba Guruprasad, Devika Thakur, Kirsty Le Doare and Cally Tann
9. The effects of Group B streptococcus infection on parents and families
Sam Jones
10. Early onset neonatal group B Streptococcus prevention in the United Kingdom and the role of the Group B Strep Support charity
Jane Plumb
11. Vaccines, their development, and promise
Eva Galiza, Konstantinos Karampatsas and Paul T. Heath
12. Myths and fallacies about group B streptococcus
Oliver Plumb
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: February 27, 2026
- Language: English
PS
Philip Steer
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.
Affiliations and expertise
Emeritus Professor, Imperial College London, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, UKJP
Jane Plumb
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.
Affiliations and expertise
CEO, Group B Strep Support, UK