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Streptococcus Beta|Government research: 20% of pregnant women in Hong Kong are screened for bacteria and successfully reduce infant infections

2022-12-28T16:56:32.518Z


The Hospital Authority and the Department of Health recently announced a study on Streptococcus B, and found that about 20% of pregnant women in Hong Kong are infected with the bacteria. Once the fetus is infected, there will be organ problems in the slightest, and death in severe cases. Since 2012, Hong Kong has introduced


The Hospital Authority and the Department of Health recently announced a study on Streptococcus B, and found that about 20% of pregnant women in Hong Kong are infected with the bacteria. Once the fetus is infected, there will be organ problems in the slightest, and death in severe cases.

Since 2012, the authorities have implemented universal swab screening for Streptococcus B in Hong Kong. If pregnant women are found to be carrying the bacteria, they will receive intravenous antibiotics during delivery. This arrangement has successfully reduced the incidence of premature fetal disease from 1.03 per 1,000 to 1.03 per 1,000. It was reduced to the current 0.26, a drop of 75%, which proved to be effective.


Premature infection can be transmitted to the fetus during childbirth

Streptococcus beta, commonly known as chain B, had an outbreak of infection in Hong Kong in October last year, with a total of 79 cases within 40 days.

The B chain is the most common pathogen that causes severe early infection of newborns, causing severe morbidity and mortality of about 5 to 10%. It commonly resides in the human intestinal tract, urinary and reproductive systems.

At present, about 20% of pregnant women's vaginal or rectal swab samples contain the bacteria. If the pregnant women are in the late pregnancy, they may pass the bacteria to the fetus through the birth canal during delivery, causing premature infection.

Infection in infants can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and even death

The harm of B-chain to newborns cannot be ignored. Although the early infection rate is only 0.1%, once infected and pregnant women do not receive preventive measures, although there is a very small chance of death, the respiratory system, intestinal tract, and kidneys may be affected after birth. , and even lead to pneumonia, blood infection and meningitis, and even need a cardiac injection, after recovery, the rest of his life will be plagued by sequelae.

Invite all pregnant women to participate in universal screening from 2012

Before 2012, Hong Kong only used clinical risk assessment to screen pregnant women with a high chance of infection; after 2012, all pregnant women who had an obstetric examination in public obstetrics were invited to participate in universal screening at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy.

If it is found to be positive, the pregnant woman with the bacteria will receive intravenous antibiotics during delivery to protect the health of the fetus.

After the implementation of universal screening, only 0.26 per thousand babies will be infected

The Hospital Authority and the Department of Health have jointly studied the incidence of newborns in recent years. After comparing the data before and after universal screening, it was found that since the beginning of universal screening, the overall incidence of premature newborns has dropped significantly, from 1.03 per 1,000 births The number of live births was reduced to 0.26, a drop of 75%.

Doctor: Streptococcus beta is not a sexually transmitted disease, do not take antibiotics by yourself

Kwong Wah Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology Consultant Dr. Liang Yongchang concluded the research and pointed out that universal screening and prescribing antibiotics for pregnant women with bacteria during delivery can effectively reduce neonatal infections; and evidence shows that after the implementation of universal screening, early onset and late Epidemic morbidity, including B-chain, E. coli, and other infections, did not increase.

He also reminded pregnant women not to self-administer antibiotics before undergoing universal screening, and clarified that B-chain is not a sexually transmitted disease.

▼Outbreak of Streptococcus B infection in Hong Kong in 2021▼


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Future research to further reduce the infection rate

Ouyang Jinquan, chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Coordinating Committee of the Hospital Authority, said that since more than 90% of pregnant women in Hong Kong are willing to undergo universal screening, they do not think it is necessary to change it to mandatory. Identify ways to further reduce infection rates and consider whether screening timing needs to be adjusted.

The research has been published in the British Journal of Gynecology and won the Gold Award for Best Young Academician Original Research of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.

Streptococcus B|Increased 4 cases in one week, accumulatively 92 people were infected, 49 people belonged to a group outbreak of Streptococcus B|Increased 9 people and infected a total of 88 cases in two months, 32 people were of the same origin. Clear symptoms and infection routes Experts warn that the mortality rate of Streptococcus B can be as high as 30%

Source: hk1

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