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Group B Streptococcal infection in neonates: an 11-year review

M Y Ho1, C T Wu, Y T Ku

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Acta Paediatrica Taiwanica = Taiwan Er Ke Yi Xue Hui Za Zhi
|July 27, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection significantly impacts infant health, causing morbidity and mortality. This study details GBS disease characteristics, incidence, and outcomes in infants, highlighting differences between early and late-onset infections.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Epidemiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcal (GBS) infection is a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and clinical presentation of GBS is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
  • Distinguishing between early-onset disease (EOD) and late-onset disease (LOD) is important for clinical management and outcome prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, mortality, and complications of Group B Streptococcal infections in infants.
  • To compare the clinical features and outcomes of early-onset disease (EOD) versus late-onset disease (LOD) caused by GBS.
  • To assess the occurrence rates and incidence of GBS disease in relation to hospital admissions and live births.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of infants diagnosed with GBS infection at Mackay Memorial Hospital between 1985 and 1995.
  • Data collection included patient demographics, clinical presentation (respiratory distress, sepsis, meningitis), laboratory findings (leukopenia), and history (prolonged rupture of membrane).
  • Calculation of occurrence rates per 1000 admissions and incidence per 1000 live births for EOD.

Main Results:

  • A total of 66 infants with EOD and 23 with LOD were identified.
  • EOD was associated with prematurity (36%), respiratory distress (50%), sepsis (60%), and leukopenia (36%).
  • LOD presented more frequently with meningitis (60%) and sepsis (69%), with a higher mortality rate (4%) compared to EOD (14%). Neurological sequelae were observed in 17% of LOD infants.

Conclusions:

  • EOD in infants is often linked to prematurity, sepsis, and respiratory distress, while LOD commonly manifests as meningitis and sepsis.
  • The study highlights significant differences in clinical presentation and outcomes between EOD and LOD.
  • Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of prenatal measures on EOD and the role of prolonged rupture of membranes in LOD.

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