Abstract
OBJECTIVEThis study aims to determine the prevalence of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization in laboring women.SETTINGDelivery room at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.STUDY DESIGNProspective.METHODSRectal and vaginal swabs were taken from low-risk women at two occasions the first around 33.5 ± 1.6 weeks gestational age and the second when they present in labor.RESULTS326 parturient women were examined during the study period. The overall intrapartum prevalence maternal GBS colonization rate was 31.6% at the mean gestational age 39.2 ± 2.5.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of intrapartum GBS colonization increase as women approach term.