Final answer:
Early onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection risk factors are primarily associated with the presence of S. agalactiae in the mother's vagina and can be mitigated with intravenous antibiotics during labor. Other risks include premature birth and maternal fever during labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk factors for early onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection include the presence of the bacterium S. agalactiae in the mother's vagina. The baby may become infected with GBS during childbirth, leading to neonatal meningitis. Additionally, intravenous antibiotics administered to the mother during labor can greatly reduce the incidence of early onset neonatal meningitis. Other factors, like a mother's fever during labor or premature birth (before 37 weeks), may increase the risk of late-onset neonatal meningitis, which occurs between 1 week and 3 months of age.
It is important to differentiate between neonatal GBS infection and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which is an autoimmune reaction against myelinated nerve cells, often preceded by a viral or bacterial infection with a range of different pathogens.
For preventing GBS infections, pregnant women may be screened for S. agalactiae during pregnancy. If a mother is found to be carrying the bacteria, appropriate measures, such as administering antibiotics during labor, are taken to reduce the risk of transmission to the infant.