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A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
10:19

A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization

Published on: November 16, 2016

Group B streptococcal disease in Portuguese infants younger than 90 days

M T Neto1

  • 1NICU-Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Rua Jacinta Marto 1169-045, Lisbon, Portugal. teresaneto@netcabo.pt

Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
|December 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes early-onset infections in newborns, primarily affecting term infants. Relying solely on risk factors for GBS prophylaxis would leave many babies untreated, highlighting the need for broader prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal infections
  • Epidemiology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of maternal-related infections in newborns.
  • Neonatal GBS infections pose a significant public health challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the epidemiology of GBS infections in infants within the first 90 days of life.
  • To assess the feasibility of using risk factors alone for prophylaxis against early-onset GBS infection.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted active, systematic, and voluntary national surveillance in Portugal from April 2001 to March 2005.
  • Included infants under 90 days with GBS-positive cultures from sterile sites (blood, CSF, joint aspirate).
  • Defined early-onset infection as occurring within the first six days after birth.

Main Results:

  • Reported 242 GBS cases, with an estimated incidence of 0.54 per 1000 live births.
  • 81% of infections occurred before day 7, predominantly in term infants (81%).
  • Only 22% of early-onset cases in term infants had identifiable risk factors; mortality was higher in preterm and very low birthweight infants.

Conclusions:

  • GBS infection is primarily an early-onset disease in term infants.
  • Mortality rates for GBS infection are significantly higher in preterm and very low birthweight infants.
  • Prophylaxis strategies based solely on risk factors would be insufficient, leaving a substantial percentage of affected term infants untreated.
Abstract

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