HSE National Clinical Guideline
National Clinical Guideline Prevention of Early-Onset Group B Streptococcal Disease in Term Infants
Topic:
Prevention of early-onset group b streptococcal disease in term infants
Document Owner:
National Clinical Lead for Guideline Development in Maternity and Gynaecology Services, National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP)
National Group:
Guideline Development Programme, National Women and Infants Health Programme
Effective From: 31 January 2026
Evidence-based recommendations for the care of women antenatally, during labour and postnatally, and for the assessment and management of infants, to prevent Early Onset (neonatal) Group B Streptococcus disease (EOGBS)
This national guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and management of maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonisation in pregnancy and labour, aiming to reduce early-onset neonatal GBS disease through risk-based screening, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, standardised laboratory procedures, and coordinated multidisciplinary care across Irish maternity services.