It is interesting that with the "gorillacillins" (my word) and other new
powerful antibiotics, the protocol for prophylaxis for b-strept in labor has
gone back to the original stuff - penicillin G.  Remember, a very small
percentage of infected mothers actually end up with sick babies.  However,
the illness can be so devastating that it is necessary to give prophylaxis in
labor.

The CDC has given us two protocols.   One is based on routine b-strept
testing of all women late in pregnancy.  The other protocol calls for the
testing and treating of women who are at high risk of strept infection.
 These include women who have b-strept cultured from their urine, women
admitted in labor prior to 37 weeks, those who have preterm premature rupture
of membranes, and those who have a history of pregnancy associated strept in
themselves or their babies in a previous gestation.  Our institutions use the
latter protocol.  This way only those women who truly need to be treated are
treated.   Strept is not an indication for cesarean birth.......V.
Nichols-Johnson, MD