title: Estimated early-onset group B streptococcal neonatal disease.
abstract: Estimates of incidence of early-onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) infection are based on blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture-proven cases, which can be falsely negative and hence underestimate the true burden of disease. Probable EOGBS infection can be defined as colonisation by group B streptococci accompanied by features of clinical sepsis. Data collected prospectively in the UK over 1 year for neonates who required a septic screen in the first 72 h of life indicated a combined rate of definite and probable EOGBS infection of 3.6 per 1000 livebirths. This estimate indicates a much greater disease burden in the UK than that suggested by figures of culture-proven sepsis, and lends support to the need for prevention strategies.
authors.affiliation: St George's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luck
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torny
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: d'Agapeyeff
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitt
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: Aoadhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Breathnach
authors.forename: Alison Bedford
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology