What bacteria is often screened for in pregnant women?

The bacteria that is often screened for in pregnant women is Group B Streptococcus (GBS). This screening is important because GBS can be a normal part of the vaginal and intestinal flora; however, it can also pose significant risks to newborns during delivery. If a mother is found to be a carrier of GBS, antibiotic prophylaxis can be administered during labor to help prevent transmission to the baby, which can lead to serious infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, or meningitis.

Screening for GBS typically occurs around the 35-37 week mark of pregnancy, as this timing is optimal for determining its presence and allowing appropriate treatment to be put in place before delivery. This practice is based on guidelines that aim to reduce the incidence of early-onset group B streptococcal disease in infants.

Other bacteria listed, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, do not have the same targeted screening protocols during pregnancy nor do they present the same significant risk of neonatal infections associated with GBS. Thus, Group B Streptococcus is the key focus in screenings during pregnancy for preventing complications during childbirth.