Association of group B streptococcus colonization with early term births.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to reproduce and validate the association of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization resulting in early-term birth (370/7-386/7 weeks' gestation) and lower birth weight, reported in African-American and Caucasian populations, in a Hispanic cohort.

METHODS

GBS status of women 18-40 years of age with uncomplicated pregnancies who experienced spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery between 370/7 and 420/7 weeks' gestation over 5 years were identified. Bivariate analysis was conducted on stratified data (GBS+ vs. GBS-) to assess relationship to early versus late-term delivery. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Student's t-tests were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Our cohort was 86% Hispanic, with a GBS+ rate of 10%. No difference for mean gestational age at delivery for GBS+ (275.9 days±6.8) vs. GBS- (275.6 days±6.9) was seen (P-value=0.61). Birth weight for GBS+ and GBS- groups were similar (3388.5 g±388.6 vs. 3395.1 g±401.7, P-value=0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

In specific evaluation of Hispanic women experiencing spontaneous, term, vaginal delivery, GBS colonization does not result in early-term delivery. This is not consistent with prior data in the African-American and Caucasian population suggesting racial disparity in outcomes related to GBS colonization.