Final answer:
In cases where a newborn does not appear ill but there's a risk of GBS infection, the baby is closely monitored, with prophylactic antibiotics given if the mother tests positive for GBS. If infection is confirmed or symptoms develop, the newborn should receive hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics like penicillin or ampicillin with gentamicin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The management of Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborns that do not appear ill primarily involves observation and possibly empirical antibiotic treatment. Neonatal meningitis is a serious complication of GBS infection, which is typically treated with ß-lactam antibiotics like intravenous penicillin or ampicillin, often in combination with gentamicin. If a newborn does not show symptoms of illness, management may involve close monitoring for any signs of the disease, and if the mother was identified as GBS-positive, the infant might receive prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the risk of developing early-onset disease.
Early onset neonatal GBS infection is generally contracted during childbirth, and the risk can be significantly lowered by administering intravenous antibiotics to the mother during labor. For late-onset GBS infection, which can occur in newborns up to 3 months old and originates from other sources aside from the mother, infants require careful observation for any symptoms indicative of infection. In both scenarios, the prompt use of appropriate antibiotics is critical for treatment, and guidelines recommend hospitalization and the administration of intravenous antibiotics to treat confirmed cases.