Prevention of neonatal group B streptococcal infections. Is there a rational prevention strategy?
Clinicians, both obstetric and pediatric, are currently faced with the need to choose treatment strategies to reduce the persistent high incidence of early-onset GBS neonatal disease without being equipped with adequate data to choose conclusively which of the proposed strategies is ideal. There is an urgent need for well-designed prospective randomized trials comparing the various prevention protocols so as to resolve conclusively the controversy. The ultimate prevention strategy may well be a successful maternal immunization program.
Schimmel
M S
MS
Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Samueloff
A
A
Eidelman
A I
AI
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae