[Streptococcal infection in the newborn (author's transl)]

28 newborn infants, only 3 of which were female, were treated for early-onset streptococcal septicaemia in the years 1970-1978 at the University Children's Hospital, Freiburg. Overall mortality was 60%, that for premature infants 80%. Almost all infants who died developed D.i.C. 60% had X-ray findings consistent with HMD, even among the mature newborns. 90% showed white blood-cell count changes such as Leucocytopenia, Granulocytopenia, rise in percentage of immature granulocytes, Thrombocytopenia. With the help of these signs and using Gram-stain on stomach aspirates early diagnosis and differentiation from HMD seems feasible.