Carriage of beta haemolytic streptococci (BHS) in pregnant women and acquisition by neonates.

Beta Haemolytic Streptococci(BHS) carriage rate in pregnant women during labour and its acquisition by their newborns just after birth was investigated in 60 mother baby pairs. The carriage rate of group B Streptococci (GBS) was 11.6%, acquisition rate by newborns of carrier and non-carrier mothers was 85.7% and 1.8% respectively. A total of 28.5% newborns were carrying GBS on all the skin sites and were heavily colonized and therefore, at higher risk of developing early onset of Streptococcal infections. Penicillin G and Ampicillin were most effective antibiotics against GBS.