Ency. home > Disease > G > Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn

Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Streptococcus agalactiae; Sepsis of the newborn; Lancefield group B streptococcus; Group B streptococcus

Definition:

A severe systemic infection of the newborn infant caused by group B streptococcus. Early onset disease (80% of infections) occurs from birth to 6 days of life. Late onset disease is generally seen in newborns from 7 days to 3 months of age, with most occuring around 1 month.

Causes and Risks

This form of infection is caused by group B streptococcus (Streptococci agalactiae), a bacterium which is commonly found in the gastrointestinal and the genitourinary tracts. Group B strep is responsible for about three-fourths of sepsis cases in infants. Risk factors include a mother colonized with group B strep (around 1/3 of pregnant women), rupture of membranes more than 18 hours prior to delivery, prematurity (less than 37 weeks), and maternal fever during labor. Group B strep may infect the fetus through the blood stream across the placenta or through ruptured membranes as the infant passes through the birth canal. The infant may also become infected after delivery, but this produces a later appearance of illness.

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