Maternal obesity and the risk of group B streptococcal colonisation in pregnant women

Abstract

The aim of the study was to test if maternal obesity and being overweight are independent risk factors for rectovaginal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonisation in pregnancy and for early onset GBS disease in the neonate. A case-control study of 9877 deliveries was conducted. The obese gravidas were significantly more likely to be colonised by GBS when compared with non-obese gravidas (22.7% versus 17.5%, P < .001). Obese gravidas were still 33% more likely than non-obese women to test positive for GBS after adjusting for the perinatal factors (adjusted OR 1.33 [95% CI 1.12–1.56]). The risk of early onset GBS disease was not calculated due to its very low incidence. The conclusion is that maternal obesity is a significant risk factor for GBS colonisation at term.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is as an important cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity if prophylaxis is not performed. Intrapartum antibiotics are given if the carrier status is positive or unknown, provided that the risk factors are present.

• What do the results of this study add? Maternal obesity is a significant and independent risk factor for GBS colonisation at term.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Maternal obesity may be considered as a risk factor that should be taken into account in strategies for reducing GBS disease in neonates.

Keywords:

• Streptococcus agalactiae
• neonatal diseases
• obesity
• newborn
• antenatal care

Disclosure statement

All authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.