Severe neonatal group A streptococcal disease.
Since the mid-1980s, an increase in incidence of invasive disease caused by group A streptococci has been noted amongst adults and children; however, neonatal disease is still rare. Between 1979 and 1998, seven neonates with severe group A streptococcal disease were admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. The clinical presentation, treatment and outcome are described. In three cases of early-onset disease vertical transmission was documented.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the incidence of group A streptococcal disease in the general population seems to have increased over the last two decades, we should be aware of the possibility and particularly the severity of group A streptococcal disease in the neonatal period.
Verboon-Maciolek
M A
MA
Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.verboon@wkz.azu.nl
Krediet
T G
TG
van Ertbruggen
I
I
Gerards
L J
LJ
Fleer
A
A
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes