Elsevier

The Lancet

Volume 361, Issue 9373, 7 June 2003, Pages 1953-1954
The Lancet

Research Letters
Estimated early-onset group B streptococcal neonatal disease

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13553-2Get rights and content

Summary

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.

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