[Group B streptococci: the most common cause of neonatal septicemia (author's transl)]

Between 1965--78 118 newborns with septicemia have been treated in the Children's Hospital of the Free University Berlin. Microorganisms identified were streptococci in 32 cases, 27 of which were group B streptococci (increasing number since 1973). In 1978 group B streptococci were responsible for 44% of all the septicemia cases as well as for 12% of all newborn deaths. The incidence of group B streptococcal septicemia in newborn babies is 1/1000 live births for the Berlin region. 2 patients presented the late-onset type of group B streptococcal neonatal sepsis; both survived having neurological sequelae. 25 newborns belonged to the early-onset group, the mortality rate in this group is 56%. The clinical features, bacteriological findings and risk factors are summarized in table form. There could be an influence related to the maternal blood type. Histological examinations in 5 placentae revealed signs of amniotic infection.