[Local manifestations of neonatal group B streptococcal disease (author's transl)]

In the case of neonatal group B streptococcal disease, two distinct types of illness have been described in the past few years. The early onset type occurs in the first hours of days of life and emerges as septicemia. The late onset type occurs after the first week and emerges as meningitis. Other frequent local manifestations are pneumonia and pleural effusions, but there are few reports on localized inflammation of other organs. This paper gives a brief survey of the local manifestations of the disease. In addition, a case of a 1120 g premature of 29 gestational week is reported. After ten uneventful weeks, the patient developed acute fulminating group B streptococcal septicemia. The initial signs of apnea, respiratory insufficiency and shock were followed by meningitis, cellulitis of the tongue and skin and severe coagulopathy. After seven days the baby died of an intracranial hemorrhage.