The Use of Blood Counts and Blood Cultures to Screen Neonates Born to Partially Treated Group B Streptococcus-carrier Mothers for Early-onset Sepsis

Abstract

The use of CBC and blood culture to screen neonates born to GBS-carrier mothers who received only one dose of IV antibiotic before delivery led to a negligible clinical yield and a high rate of technical failure. Although these findings are in line with the recent change in the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, they put in question the cost of this practice in terms of neonatal pain and parental anxiety.