There has been recent discussion on Lactnet about MRSA (Methcillin Resistant
Staph Aureus)

These paragraphs appear in the latest issue of Medscape Nursing:


<*Can a pregnant woman who has frequent bouts with MRSA pass the infection
on to her fetus?* Approximately 5% to15% of women of childbearing age carry
*S aureus* in their vagina.[13] Some recent studies have identified a low
prevalence of MRSA in vaginal-rectal cultures obtained to screen for group B
streptococcal colonization during late pregnancy. [14] *S aureus* can be
transmitted from the maternal genital tract to the fetus or newborn during
pregnancy, labor, or delivery, but this type of transmission leading to
serious infection or other adverse outcomes appears to be rare. [15] There
are no recommendations to routinely screen pregnant women for *S aureus* or
MRSA colonization or to attempt decolonization in pregnant women with a
history of MRSA infection.

Decolonization is sometimes considered in a patient (pregnant or otherwise)
with a history of recurrent MRSA infections that are unresponsive to other
measures. Vaginal delivery and breastfeeding are not contraindicated in a
woman with MRSA colonization or infection. Active lesions should be kept
covered with clean, dry bandages, and women should wash their hands well,
particularly after changing wound dressings and before touching their
newborn. Obstetrics departments should follow their hospital policy in
regard to infection control practices for patients who are known or
suspected to be infected or colonized with MRSA.

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html