What is a common outcome for infants born after a positive GBS screening in the mother?

The correct outcome for infants born to mothers with a positive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening is primarily focused on the immediate care plan, which includes observation in a normal nursery setting. This is based on current guidelines that encourage vigilant monitoring of these infants for signs of GBS-related infection, rather than immediate intervention unless symptoms are present.

In a typical situation where the mother tests positive for GBS, the standard procedure often involves administering antibiotics to the mother during labor to reduce the risk of transmission to the infant. However, if the mother received appropriate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, the infant is monitored closely but may not require NICU admission or any aggressive immediate intervention unless clinical signs develop.

While it is important to ensure that any infant at risk is observed for potential complications, it is also common for healthy infants from adequately treated mothers to remain in the normal nursery for monitoring without necessitating more intensive care. This approach balances vigilance with the understanding that not every infant exposed to a positive GBS carrier will develop an infection.

The other potential outcomes mentioned, such as immediate transfer to NICU or mandatory MRI scans, are not standard protocols in this scenario, as they imply situations that are either not routinely required or only necessary if specific clinical