Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/spotlight-group-b-strep-47-what-are-com...
Dear CHIFA colleagues,
Marti notes two myths associatd with GBS disease: Babies move less as they grow closer to term; and Autopsies never find a cause.
These are two of the eight myths listed on the Group B Strep International website: https://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/gbs-myths.html
At the top of the page: 'Knowledge is power – that’s why knowing the facts about group B strep (GBS) is so important. We aim to clarify some common misconceptions surrounding GBS, providing accurate information based on current medical understanding and guidelines. By addressing these misconceptions head-on, we hope to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their babies. There are many misconceptions surrounding GBS, so let’s separate the facts from the fiction!'
Below are the other six myths on the GBSI website, with a comment from me. I invite your comments on any of these.
1. FICTION: GBS is only a concern at birth.
FACT: Group B Strep is not only a concern at birth. It is also a concern during pregnancy and early infancy. During pregnancy, GBS can infect babies in the womb and potentially cause miscarriage or stillbirth. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several studies, GBS can cross intact membranes. (1) GBS can also cause preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of membranes. (See video presentation by Dr. David M. Aronoff.) Babies can be miscarried, stillborn, born premature or be very sick at or soon after birth due to GBS infection that began prior to birth. After a baby is born, they are still susceptible to GBS up to several months of age due to their underdeveloped immune systems and can be infected by sources other than their mother.
2. FICTION: IV antibiotics aren’t worth it.
FACT: IV antibiotics for GBS-positive pregnant women during labor are crucial to help protect newborns from early-onset GBS disease, based on robust evidence demonstrating significant reductions in neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with GBS infections. Early-onset GBS disease in newborns can be severe, causing conditions such as sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis within the first week of life. Studies have shown that administering antibiotics during labor to GBS-positive women reduces the incidence of early-onset GBS disease in newborns by over 80%. Antibiotics are most effective when administered intravenously during labor because they help reduce the bacterial load in the birth canal at the time of delivery, minimizing the chances of transmission to the newborn during passage through the birth canal.
3. FICTION: GBS only affects pregnant women.
FACT: While GBS is commonly associated with pregnancy, it can also affect non-pregnant adults. According to the CDC, most cases of GBS disease in adults are among those who have other medical conditions. Learn more about GBS in nonpregnant adults.
4. FICTION: GBS stillbirths are “rare” or “very rare.”
FACT: Until recently there has not been surveillance data to determine how often GBS stillbirths actually occur, pathology testing is not always done, and fetal death records are seldom updated with the final diagnosis. It is currently estimated that 46,000 babies are stillborn due to GBS each year worldwide.
5. FICTION: All babies born to GBS positive mothers will be infected.
FACT: Maternal GBS colonization does not guarantee that the baby will be infected. With proper screening and administration of antibiotics during labor (if indicated), the risk of transmission to the baby can be significantly reduced.
6. FICTION: Natural remedies can eliminate GBS.
FACT: Natural remedies such as garlic or tea tree oil have not been proven to prevent your baby from becoming infected. Some alternative treatments are unsafe. Yogurt and probiotics are known to have health benefits, but the exact impact on GBS colonization is not yet known.
Do any of the above myths resonate with your experience? Any comments or observations?
COMMENTS (NPW):
Myth 2 is clearly important if held by the mother or health worker. Is there a significant problem whereby mothers refuse antibiotic treatment during labour, even if they are GBS positive?
Myth 6 is also important if held by the mother or health worker (or complementary healer). The idea that “natural remedies can eliminate GBS” is one of the most harmful myths in circulation. The short answer: no natural remedy has ever been shown to eradicate GBS carriage or prevent GBS disease in newborns. This myth creates dangerous false reassurance and can delay proven, life-saving care. Looking into this, I see that myth 6 is related to myth 2. Parents who seek 'natural' treatments are at risk of being falsely reassured and may be more likely to refuse antibiotics during labour. The complementary and wellness industry thrives on a powerful mix of commercial incentives, social-media misinformation, and public misunderstanding of health science — and this is exactly why myths like “natural remedies can eliminate GBS” spread so easily.
Best wishes, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org