title: Neonatal group B streptococcal infections in Indian (Asian) babies in South Africa.
abstract: In this, the first report of group B streptococcal (GBS) infections in Asian neonates in South Africa, the incidence was 2.65/1000 live births over a period of 3.5 years. Early onset disease (EOD), defined as arising less than or equal to 5 days after birth, was present in 79% cases; in most of these, the onset was before the age of 24 h. One baby presented with two episodes of late onset GBS infection. The incidence of culture-proven neonatal septicaemia during the same period was 12.3/1000 live births, GBS being commonest organism isolated. It was also the most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis in the newborn, accounting for 89% cases. Although neurological signs were present in 40% patients with EOD, only 13.3% had CSF-culture-positive meningitis. Radiographic features of hyaline membrane disease were found in half of the babies with EOD and for whom a chest radiograph was performed, while one had a pneumothorax. The overall mortality was 13.2% which is much lower than that reported in other series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Haffejee
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bhana
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Coovadia
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hoosen
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Marajh
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gouws
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae