The association between maternal colonization with Group B Streptococcus and infectious morbidity following transcervical Foley catheter-assisted labor induction

Objectives: To determine whether maternal colonization with Group B Streptococcus increases the risk for infectious morbidity following transcervical Foley catheter-assisted cervical ripening. Methods: A retrospective cohort study comparing infectious morbidity and other clinical outcomes by Group B Streptococcus colonization status between all women with singleton pregnancies who underwent Foley catheter-assisted cervical ripening labor induction at a single tertiary medical center during 2011-2021. Multivariable logistic regression explored the relationship between Group B Streptococcus colonization to adverse outcomes while adjusting for relevant clinical variables. Results: A total of 4,409 women were included of whom 886 (20.1%) were considered Group B Streptococcus carriers and 3,523 (79.9%) were not. Suspected neonatal sepsis rate was similar between Group B Streptococcus carriers and non-carriers (5.2 vs. 5.0%, respectively, p=0.78). Neonatal sepsis was confirmed in 7 (0.02%) cases, all born to non-carriers. Group B Streptococcus carriers had a higher rate of maternal bacteremia compared to non-carriers (1.2 vs. 0.5%, respectively, p=0.01). Group B Streptococcus colonization was independently associated with maternal bacteremia (adjusted odds ratio 3.05; 95%CI 1.39, 6.66). Conclusions: Group B Streptococcus colonization among women undergoing Foley catheter-assisted cervical ripening does not seem to increase the risk for neonatal infection. However, higher rates of maternal bacteremia were detected.