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Group B streptococcal disease in UK and Irish infants younger than 90 days

Paul T Heath1, Gail Balfour, Abbie M Weisner

  • 1Vaccine Institute, St George's Hospital, London, UK. pheath@sghms.ac.uk

Lancet (London, England)
|January 31, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections in infants are a significant concern. This study reveals a minimum incidence of 0.72 per 1000 live births in the UK and Ireland, with a 9.7% mortality rate.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Group B streptococcal (GBS) disease poses a significant threat to infant health.
  • Data on GBS incidence, morbidity, and mortality in the UK and Republic of Ireland were previously limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of invasive GBS disease in infants under 90 days old.
  • To establish the current burden of GBS disease in the UK and Irish infant population.
  • To provide data for the development of GBS prevention guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • A surveillance study was conducted between February 1, 2000, and February 28, 2001.
  • Invasive GBS cases in infants younger than 90 days were identified through a network of pediatricians, microbiologists, and parents.
  • Incidence rates for overall, early-onset, and late-onset GBS disease were calculated.

Main Results:

  • A total of 568 GBS cases were identified, equating to an overall incidence of 0.72 per 1000 live births.
  • Early-onset GBS disease incidence was 0.48 per 1000 live births (377 cases), and late-onset incidence was 0.24 per 1000 live births (191 cases).
  • The overall mortality rate was 9.7% (53 deaths), and identifiable risk factors were present in 58% of early-onset cases.

Conclusions:

  • The study established the minimum burden of invasive GBS disease in UK and Irish infants.
  • Findings highlight the substantial impact of GBS on neonatal health.
  • The data are crucial for informing and formulating effective prevention strategies for GBS disease.

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