The influence of group B streptococcal-carriership on pregnancy outcome.
762 women were screened for GBS-carriership in the first trimester of pregnancy. The mean age of carriers was 27.2 years. Follow-up was performed in 64 initially positive and 97 negative cases. Persistent carriership was the most important determinant for neonatal GBS-acquisition. Race, birth-weight, gestational-age, interval between rupture of the membranes and birth could not be associated with GBS-carriership or neonatal acquisition. The number of neonates with fetal distress was significantly higher amongst those born to all GBS-carriers; the number of S.G.A.-infants was significantly elevated amongst those born to permanently positive women. Vertical transmission was found in 86% of the mother-infant pairs. GBS serotype III and Ib were predominant. Serotype III was significantly more isolated from non-caucasian women. The transmission frequency of all types was equal (46%), except for type IIc (22%). None of the serotypes was especially associated with fetal distress or smallness for gestational age.
D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification