Is there a good reason not to screen pregnant women for Group B Streptococcus

Feb 7, 2012
If we are looking for ways to reduce the incidence of brain damage in new born babies and reduce the cost to the NHS and Government of necessary compensation claims here is a good place to start.

Between 2003 and 2010 the incidence of Group B Strep infection in new born babies rose from 340 to 506, a 50% increase.  

Group B Strep can cause severe brain damage and a lifetime of heartache and expense, 40 a year with another 75 babies dying of the infection.    

The USA, Australia, Spain, Italy, and Germany have introduced routine screening and as a result have seen major falls in this deadly disease.  

Whilst in the Shadow Cabinet David Cameron campaigned for a Group B Strep screening programme to be introduced.  However at present the Department of Health can only report that "...The National Screening Committee is reviewing the evidence."  

The sooner the review is completed and a screening programme introduced the better.  This is the way to tackle the incidence of brain damage in new born babies, not by criticising those who have been injured through no fault of their own and those who represent their interests.   
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