Jay,
Group B strep is a common bacteria that likes to live on mom's cervix.  It
becomes dangerous if there is prolonged rupture of the membranes before/during
labor.  In this situation, there can be ascending infection of the membranes
and/or the baby (chorioamnionitis).  Mom can be treated with intravenous
antibiotics in labor to protect the baby, but they need to be given a certain
number of hours before the birth to reach the baby effectively.  If baby is
born before then, baby is often put in NICU on iv antibiotics until cultures
come back negative, usually about 3 days.  The full course of treatment is
about one week.  Babies who actually get infected with group B strep have a
sinificant risk of death.  That's why the concern about moms who culture
positive for this germ in late pregnancy.  This is a breastfeeding related
concern, because the seperation of mom and baby for prophylactic treatment can
undermine breastfeeding.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]