title: Invasive group B streptococcal infections in Finland: a population-based study.
abstract: We analyzed surveillance data on group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Finland from 1995 to 2000 and reviewed neonatal cases of early-onset GBS infection in selected hospitals in 1999 to 2000. From 1995 to 2000, 853 cases were reported (annual incidence 2.2-3.0/100,000 population). We found 32-38 neonatal cases of early-onset GBS disease per year (annual incidence 0.6-0.7/1,000 live births). In five hospitals, 35% of 26 neonatal cases of early-onset GBS infection had at least one risk factor: prolonged rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, or intrapartum fever. Five of eight mothers screened for GBS were colonized. In one case, disease developed despite intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Although the incidence of early-onset GBS disease in Finland is relatively low, some geographic variation exists, and current prevention practices are suboptimal. Establishing national guidelines to prevent perinatal GBS is likely to reduce the incidence of the disease.
authors.affiliation: National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. outi.lyytikainen@ktl.fi
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lyytikäinen
authors.forename: J Pekka
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nuorti
authors.forename: Erja
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Halmesmäki
authors.forename: Petteri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uotila
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vuento
authors.forename: Tapio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ranta
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sarkkinen
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ammälä
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostiala
authors.forename: Anna-Liisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Järvenpää
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires