Neonatal group B streptococcal infection: a 7-year experience.
BACKGROUND
This retrospective study was designed to determine the trend of neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) infection during the past 7 years at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital of Kaohsiung, as well as to assess the risk factors, clinical features and patient outcomes.


METHODS
Medical records of infants with neonatal GBS infection identified by positive results of cultures of sterile body fluid in our hospital from January 1996 through December 2002 were reviewed for demographic and clinical data.


RESULTS
There were 33 infants with neonatal GBS infections during the past 7 years in our hospital. The number of patients increased from 1996 to 2001. Sixteen infants had early onset infections and 17 infants had late onset infections. Of the nine patients with maternal risk factors in the early onset group, prolonged rupture of membranes (7, 44%) was most frequently encountered. Distressed respiratory sign (8, 50%) was the most common clinical presentation in early onset group, while fever >38 degrees C (17, 100%) was the most common presentation in late-onset group. The mortality rates were 13% and 6% in early and late onset groups, respectively. Gestational age (p = 0.05) and pneumonia (p = 0.015) were two most important factors influencing the mortality rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of GBS-infected infants seemed to have increased during the past 7 years in our hospital. Because the incidence of neonatal GBS infection and maternal colonization in Taiwan has not been collected, we could not determine the necessity of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Setting a comprehensive surveillance in Taiwan should be considered.
Chung
Mei-Yung
MY
Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 833, ROC.
Ko
Dan-Jung
DJ
Chen
Chih-Chen
CC
Huang
Chung-Bin
CB
Chung
Ching-Hung
CH
Chen
Feng-Shun
FS
Hwang
Kao-Pin
KP
D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors