Radiological findings in group B streptococcal Sepsis

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Radiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of neonatal sepsis.
• Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) is a frequent respiratory distress cause in preterm infants.
• Radiographic findings in neonatal sepsis can vary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the radiographic patterns in infants with confirmed Group B streptococcal sepsis.
• To identify unusual radiographic findings associated with GBS sepsis.
• To explore the diagnostic implications of these findings for early GBS infection detection.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of radiographs from 9 infants diagnosed with Group B streptococcal sepsis.
• Correlation of radiographic findings with clinical data and postmortem examinations.
• Comparison of findings with typical patterns of hyaline membrane disease and other neonatal sepsis.

Main Results:

• Infants exhibited radiographic patterns consistent with hyaline membrane disease, despite higher birth weights (>2,000 g) in most cases.
• Pleural effusions were observed in 6 infants, with pleural fluid noted in the remainder at autopsy.
• These radiographic findings, particularly pleural effusions, are atypical for both HMD and non-GBS neonatal sepsis.

Conclusions:

• Radiographic findings of hyaline membrane disease in neonates, especially with pleural effusions, should raise suspicion for Group B streptococcal sepsis.
• Early recognition of these unusual radiographic signs may improve the diagnosis and management of GBS sepsis.
• This pattern suggests a potential link between GBS sepsis and fluid accumulation in the pleural space in neonates.