Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Prenatal Antibiotics Linked To Higher Risk Of Bacterial Disease In Newborns, Study Finds

A new study has discovered that use of antibiotics during pregnancy may raise the risk of babies developing Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease.

Researchers from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and University of Antwerp in Belgium found prenatal antibiotic exposure to be associated with an increased risk of neonatal GBS disease by about 30 percent within four weeks of delivery. Exposure during early third trimester made the newborns most susceptible.

They scientists noted, "Prenatal antibiotic exposure can raise GBS risk within four weeks postpartum, especially in neonates not covered by risk-based intrapartum prophylaxis, with the early third trimester being a critical window of susceptibility."

<h2>What Is Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease?</h2>GBS disease is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and is typically found in the intestines or lower genital tract. The infection primarily affects newborns and can cause neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis.

Most babies born to women carrying group B strep in their body are health but the few who are infected during labor can become very ill. The illness caused by group B strep can start within six hours of birth (early-onset disease) or three weeks  after birth (late-onset disease).

Common symptoms include: <ul><li>Fever.</li><li>Low body temperature.</li><li>Trouble feeding.</li><li>Sluggishness, limpness or weak muscle tone.</li><li>Trouble breathing.</li><li>Irritable behavior.</li><li>Jittery movements.</li><li>Seizures.</li><li>Rash.</li><li>Jaundice.</li></ul>Newborns suffering from early-onset GBS disease can present signs of sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis and suffers symptoms such as fever, lethargy, poor feeding and breathing difficulties. While those suffering from late-onset GBS disease show signs of meningitis, sepsis or localized infections in the body.

Universal prenatal screening around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy can help prevent the development of GBS disease in babies. The illness is typically treated with antibiotics. 

The researchers conducted a population-based cohort study on 1,095,644 singleton live births in Sweden from 2006 to 2016 using national registers.

Among those, prenatal antibiotic exposure was recorded in 24.5 percent, of which 4.9 percent were exposed in more than one trimester. During the study period, the overall incidence of GBS disease was 0.71 per 1,000 live births.

Compared with unexposed newborns, GBS incidence within four weeks postpartum was higher among exposed newborns (0.86 per 1,000 live births) for an increased risk of 29%.

Among pregnancies without any GBS risk factors, prenatal antibiotic exposure was associated with a 34% higher risk of GBS disease. 

Despite clear results, the authors noted it’s too early to draw causal conclusions more research into the links between antibiotics and GBS disease development is needed. 

The researchers said, "Given the widespread use of antibiotics during pregnancy (~25% of pregnancies globally), rising GBS resistance, and the lack of licensed maternal GBS vaccine, this potential association warrants further studies."

This study was published in January 2026 in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163445325002695" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">Journal of Infection</a>.

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A new study has discovered that use of antibiotics during pregnancy may raise the risk of babies developing Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease. Researchers from Sweden's Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and University of Antwerp in Belgium found prenatal antibiotic exposure to be associated with an increased risk of neonatal GBS disease by about 30 percent within four weeks of delivery. Exposure during early third trimester made the newborns most susceptible. They scientists noted, "Prenatal antibiotic exposure can raise GBS risk within four weeks postpartum, especially in neonates not covered by risk-based intrapartum prophylaxis, with the early third trimester being a critical window of susceptibility."What Is Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease?GBS disease is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and is  typically found in the intestines or lower genital tract. The infection primarily affects newborns and can cause neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Most babies born to women carrying group B strep in their body are health but the few who are infected during labor can become very ill. The illness caused by group B strep can start within six hours of birth (early-onset disease) or three weeks  after birth (late-onset disease).Common symptoms include: Fever.Low body temperature.Trouble feeding.Sluggishness, limpness or weak muscle tone.Trouble breathing.Irritable behavior.Jittery movements.Seizures.Rash.Jaundice.Newborns suffering from early-onset GBS disease can present signs of sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis and suffers symptoms such as fever, lethargy, poor feeding and breathing difficulties. While those suffering from late-onset GBS disease show signs of meningitis, sepsis or localized infections in the body. Universal prenatal screening around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy can help prevent the development of GBS disease in babies. The illness is typically treated with antibiotics. What Did The Study Find?The researchers conducted a population-based cohort study on 1,095,644 singleton live births in Sweden from 2006 to 2016 using national registers.Among those, prenatal antibiotic exposure was recorded in 24.5 percent, of which 4.9 percent were exposed in more than one trimester. During the study period, the overall incidence of GBS disease was 0.71 per 1,000 live births.Compared with unexposed newborns, GBS incidence within four weeks postpartum was higher among exposed newborns (0.86 per 1,000 live births) for an increased risk of 29%.Among pregnancies without any GBS risk factors, prenatal antibiotic exposure was associated with a 34% higher risk of GBS disease. Despite clear results, the authors noted it’s too early to draw causal conclusions more research into the links between antibiotics and GBS disease development is needed. The researchers said, "Given the widespread use of antibiotics during pregnancy (~25% of pregnancies globally), rising GBS resistance, and the lack of licensed maternal GBS vaccine, this potential association warrants further studies."This study was published in January 2026 in Journal of Infection. 