NEONATAL INFECTION WITH GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS

Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae). Infections colonizes the maternal urethra, vaginal tract and rectum; it is sexually transmitted but colonization is usually asymptomatic. In the mother, group B Streptococcus can cause puerperal sepsis, endometritis and preterm delivery. The biggest risk, however, is to the newborn. The risk of infection appears enhanced in twins. The most devastating form of infection is early-onset bacteremia with shock, pneumonia and, occasionally, meningitis. All three serotypes (I, II, III) can cause early-onset infection although type III is most common in infections that are seen after the first week of age. All three serotypes (I, II, III) can cause early-onset infection although type III is most common in infections that are seen after the first week of age (see table 1). The author presents: morphopathology (pneumonia, especially in early onset group B Streptococcus infections; meningitis, meningoencephalitis in late onset group B Streptococcus infections); clinical manifestations; diagnosis (positive, differential); evolution and treatment; prevention and prognosis