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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
10:19
A Murine Model of Group B Streptococcus Vaginal Colonization
Published on: November 16, 2016
Group B streptococcal disease in infants: a case control study.
P T Heath1, G F Balfour, H Tighe
1Child Health and Vaccine Institute, St George's, University of London, UK. pheath@sgul.ac.uk
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|May 22, 2009
Summary
Maternal carriage of Group B Streptococcus (GBS), peripartum infection, and labor fever are key risk factors for infant GBS disease. This condition significantly impacts neonatal health and resource utilization.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of invasive neonatal infections.
- Understanding risk factors is crucial for preventing early-onset GBS disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify maternal and neonatal factors associated with GBS disease in infants under 90 days old.
- To analyze the clinical presentation and resource implications of GBS disease in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study conducted in UK Neonatal Units (2000-2003).
- Recruited 138 infants with invasive GBS disease and 305 healthy controls.
- Collected demographic and clinical data on mothers, infants, birth, and neonatal care.
Main Results:
- Known maternal GBS carriage (OR 6.9), peripartum infection (OR 4.2), and maternal fever during labor (OR 2.2) were significant independent risk factors.
- GBS disease associated with prematurity, prolonged rupture of membranes, and fetal tachycardia.
- Affected infants experienced poorer Apgar scores, respiratory distress, convulsions, and longer hospital stays.
Conclusions:
- Maternal carriage of GBS, peripartum infection, and labor fever are strongly linked to infant GBS disease, independent of birth weight.
- GBS disease necessitates substantial hospital resource utilization for neonatal care.
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