Comparison of early-onset neonatal sepsis caused by Escherichia coli and group B Streptococcus.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare maternal characteristics and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates that are associated with early-onset neonatal sepsis that is caused by group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli.


METHODS
This was a retrospective review of newborn infants with a positive blood culture (and/or cerebrospinal fluid) that was positive for either E coli or group B Streptococcus during the first week of life. Data were abstracted from maternal and neonatal medical records.


RESULTS
Among 28,659 deliveries during the study period, 102 episodes of early-onset neonatal sepsis were identified, 61 of which were caused by group B Streptococcus and 41 of which were caused by E coli. E coli sepsis cases had a lower birth weight, a higher percentage with 5-minute Apgar score <7, and a longer stay in the hospital neonatal intensive care unit and required mechanical ventilation more frequently. Death after early-onset neonatal sepsis with E coli was also more frequent.


CONCLUSIONS
Early-onset sepsis with E coli is associated with more morbidity and a higher mortality rate compared with early-onset group B Streptococcus.
Mayor-Lynn
Kathleen
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, Fla, USA.
González-Quintero
Víctor Hugo
VH
O'Sullivan
Mary Jo
MJ
Hartstein
Alan I
AI
Roger
Sonia
S
Tamayo
Madeline
M
D001034:Apgar Score; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007902:Length of Stay; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae