High maternal body mass index increases the risk of neonatal early onset group B streptococcal disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyse the occurrence of neonatal early onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) disease relative to maternal body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
A cohort of Swedish parturients with an early pregnancy BMI registered was investigated. Data were retrieved from population-based registers during 1997-2001, (n = 344 127, elective caesarean section excluded). Medical records of all infants with a diagnosis of EOGBS septicaemia (P36.0) were scrutinized for verification of the diagnosis. There were 136 cases with blood culture-positive septicaemia and 112 cases with clinical infection. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
In obese parturients with BMI > 30, there was an 80% increased risk for verified neonatal EOGBS disease (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0). When cases with clinical sepsis were included a significant risk increment was also found in overweight women with BMI 25.0-29.9 (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal obesity and overweight are risk factors associated with increased risk of neonatal EOGBS disease.
Håkansson
Stellan
S
Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden. stellan.hakansson@vll.se
Källen
Karin
K
D000367:Age Factors; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors