According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  each year nearly 20 million pregnant women carry group B strep (GBS). Although GBS is harmless for most pregnant individuals, it can be extremely serious when it passes to babies during pregnancy, childbirth or in the first months of life.

Not all babies exposed to GBS become infected, but, for those who do, the results can be devastating. GBS can cause babies to be miscarried, stillborn, born prematurely, become very sick, have lifelong handicaps, or die. Even babies born to someone who tests negative can become infected by group B strep.

Fortunately there are many ways to help protect babies from group B strep. This website contains resources for you to learn more about GBS and help prevent its devastating effects. 

Check out our resources to help you get started!
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Special thanks to Aayan's mother for sharing her son's voice making the grunting sounds which are a common, yet often unrecognized, sign of GBS meningitis
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Website Translation | en français (in French)​

Highlight

September is recognized as Sepsis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public and healthcare professionals about the dangers of sepsis—a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ damage.
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Many thanks to the parents who have shared their families’ experiences to help prevent GBS infection, a leading cause of newborn sepsis, in other babies. Stories matter and can make a huge difference for those telling their story and those listening. You are not alone on this GBS journey. Please learn from their experiences.

Story Spotlight

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Fiadh | Early-onset
"The next day her bloods came back. Her infection rate (crp) was 179 (10 is considered high in babies) so this was a huge concern. The word meningitis came up a lot and it was terrifying! ...

On the third day the results for my bloods and placenta had come back. It was positive for Strep B! All I could think of was how it was all my fault my baby was this sick... my placenta made my baby so so sick, causing her to develop sepsis!"

What We Do

  • Provide complimentary GBS awareness info and materials
  • Exhibit and present at conferences worldwide​​.
  • Advocate to close the gaps in GBS care for ALL babies​

What You Should Know

Each of the three distinct time periods when GBS can infect babies has its own prevention challenges and strategies.

How You Can Help 

There are many ways to help from sharing a brochure with a pregnant friend to organizing a trail ride fundraiser to starting an awareness campaign with your department of health!

The WAVES Study
Participate in the WAVES Study to help determine the gaps in GBS care and communication. If you’ve had a baby (with or without group B strep disease) conceived on or after January 1, 2003, we want to hear from you! Help prevent future babies from becoming infected!

Remember to share with friends and family so we can all wave goodbye to group B strep disease in babies!

GBS Research Connect

​Join our collaborative, GBS Research Connect, to connect with fellow researchers, healthcare professionals, and professional health advocates/academics involved in furthering group B strep research and disease prevention!

Membership is free and includes access to events, the ability to join forums, collaborate, upload your research, explore blogs, and more!

Projects, Campaigns, and News Worldwide

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September is Sepsis Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a life-threatening condition that can develop when the body has an overwhelming response to infection. GBS is a leading cause of newborn and infant sepsis worldwide and is also associated with maternal sepsis.
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We want to make sure that prenatal-onset GBS disease is recognized and that more pregnant women and healthcare professionals become aware that pregnancy is a distinct time period in which babies can be infected by GBS. Check out our linked toolkit to help us spread the word!

Quick Links
Recently published articles: Learn more about our Campaigns and Projects!

Our past events and GBS news can be viewed in our Event & News Archive.
Please see all we’ve accomplished with your support!

GBSI's Newsletter: The Globe, September 2026

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​Donations
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​As a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, we rely on your donations to enable us to promote awareness and prevention of group B strep disease in babies worldwide!

Please help save babies and their families from the devastation of GBS disease!