title: Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci as an important cause of perinatal mortality.
abstract: Bacteriological and pathological examinations of all 73 stillborn infants and 96 infants dying soon after delivery in Västerås, Sweden during the period 1971-1974 are reported. 35 infants had a severe infection. Beta-hemolytic streptococci group B were isolated in 7 cases from different organs. Intrauterine death occurred in 2 cases; 4 liveborn infants showed early signs of respiratory distress, apneic episodes and cyanosis; 1 infant showed signs of intrauterine asphyxia and was severely asphyctic at birth. Thus, infection with group B streptococci occurred in 20% of the infants who succumbed to infections during this period.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification