Clinical features and prognostic factors of group B Streptococcus Meningitis in infants

To summarize the clinical features of group B streptococcus (GBS) meningitis in infants and identify the risk factors for poor prognosis.

The clinical data of 52 infants with GBS meningitis treated at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.

A total of 48 infants (48/52, 92.3 %) presented with symptom onset at ≤90 days of age. Among 52 patients, the most prevalent clinical manifestations were fever (98.1 %), altered mental status (84.6 %) and decreased appetite (63.5 %). Subdural effusion (30/52, 57.7 %) was the most common neurological complication. One patient (1.9 %) died from cerebral herniation. Positive blood culture alone was observed in 41 cases (78.8 %), isolated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture positivity in 5 (9.6 %), and dual blood-CSF culture positivity in 6 (11.5 %). The median hospital stay was 33 days. The most frequently administered antibiotic regimens were vancomycin combined with carbapenems (18/52, 34.6 %) and vancomycin plus third-generation cephalosporins (15/52, 28.8 %). Univariate analysis indicated an association between glucocorticoid use and clinical outcomes; however, multivariate analysis yielded no statistically significant variables (P < 0.05).

GBS meningitis is most common in infants below 3 months. Both clinical manifestations and ancillary tests may be nonspecific, and definitive diagnosis relies on etiological confirmation. The risk of neurological complications is high.