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| Dr Tash Ching |
Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a very
fast-acting bacteria, is a major cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Once
infected, an otherwise healthy baby can become critically ill within hours.
For the first time, Monash Children’s
Hospital Paediatric Registrar and Monash University researcher Dr Tash Ching
has shown that breastmilk—until now thought to be a possible risk factor—is not
associated with late-onset GBS infection.
Dr Tash Ching’s ground-breaking research won the poster prize at the
Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases annual scientific meeting, held on
the Gold Coast last week.
“While early-onset GBS (occurring in
babies less than a week old) and its risks are well understood, we’ve been less
certain of the transmission risk factors in late-onset disease (babies presenting
between one week and three months of age),” said Dr Ching.
“Although controversial, there have
been reports of numerous cases of late-onset disease (LOD) associated with GBS
from breast milk.”
“This has placed considerable stress
on mothers and clinicians regarding the safety of ongoing breast feeding,” Dr Ching
said.
“Our study now demonstrates for the
first time that breast feeding does not increase the risk of late
onset newborn sepsis with Group B streptococcus.”
“We can now reassure parents with confidence that breastmilk does
not present a risk of infection.”
This study was a collaboration between Monash Health, the Royal
Children’s Hospital, Barwon and Bendigo Hospitals.
