(June 17, 2009 - Insidermedicine) U.S. guidelines calling for the universal screening of pregnant women for group B streptococcal bacteria appear to have been quickly adopted, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Here is some information about group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy:

•    It is a bacterium often found in the vagina, rectum or bladder of healthy women, where it generally causes no problems

•    When this infection is present in a pregnant woman, there is a risk that the infant will pick it up during delivery

•    Strep B picked up by infants during delivery can cause potentially serious infections in the lungs, brain, spinal cord, or blood.

Researchers from the CDC collected information about strep B screening practices among women who gave birth in 2003-04 and compared it with that of a similar study conducted on women who gave birth in 1998-99.

Overall, the proportion of women screened for strep B jumped from 48% in 1998-99 to 85% in 2003-04. In 2003-04, the overall incidence of strep B infection among newborns was low: about 3/10,000 live births. Infants born preterm were more likely to contract the disease, and mothers who gave birth to preterm infants were less likely to be screened.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. Melissa Van Dyke, the principal investigator of this study, who offered some further insight.

Today's research demonstrates how new public health policies can quickly be adopted and make for important improvements in care.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.