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Decreasing incidence of perinatal Group B streptococcal disease--United States, 1993-1995
Insights
Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections pose a significant threat to newborns. Surveillance data indicates a hopeful decline in early-onset GBS disease incidence in some areas.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal infections
- Bacterial pathogenesis
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections are a primary cause of neonatal bacterial disease and mortality in the U.S.
- GBS also causes significant morbidity in peripartum women and nonpregnant adults with chronic conditions.
- Infant GBS disease commonly manifests as sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis, with early-onset disease (<7 days) accounting for 80% of cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of GBS disease between 1993 and 1995.
- To assess trends in GBS disease, particularly early-onset infections, in a large U.S. population.
Main Methods:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted disease surveillance.
- Surveillance covered an aggregate population of 12.5 million individuals.
- Data included approximately 190,000 live-born infants annually.
Main Results:
- Surveillance data from 1993-1995 was analyzed.
- A statistically significant decrease in the incidence of early-onset GBS disease was observed in certain surveillance regions.
- The findings highlight regional variations in GBS disease trends.
Conclusions:
- Early-onset GBS disease incidence has declined in some U.S. surveillance areas.
- Continued monitoring of GBS disease is crucial for public health.
- These findings may inform prevention and intervention strategies.
Abstract:
Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections are the leading cause of bacterial disease and death among newborns in the United States and an important cause of morbidity among peripartum women and nonpregnant adults with chronic medical conditions. Disease in infants usually presents as sepsis, pneumonia or meningitis but also may include cellulitis or osteomyelitis. In 1990, GBS infections caused an estimated 7600 serious illnesses and 310 deaths among U.S. infants aged < or = 90 days; infections among infants aged < 7 days (i.e., early-onset disease) accounted for approximately 80% of these illnesses. To determine the incidence of GBS disease during 1993-1995, CDC conducted surveillance for this disease in an aggregate population of 12.5 million persons with 190,000 annual live-born infants. This report summarizes the findings of surveillance in this population, which indicate that a statistically significant decline in the incidence of early-onset GBS disease occurred in some surveillance areas.