Group B streptococcal septicemia of the newborn

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Group B streptococcal septicemia is a severe bacterial infection that affects newborn infants.

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

Group B streptococcal septicemia is caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, a type of group B streptococcus bacteria, which is commonly found in the human gastrointestinal, reproductive, and urinary tracts.

The disease may be seen from birth to 6 days of life (generally in the first 24 hours) or in children age 7 days to 3 months. Most cases occur in babies around 1 month old.

Group B streptococcus was once responsible for about 75% of sepsis infections in infants. However, the rate of this condition has dropped since methods to screen and treat pregnant women at risk were established.

The following increase the risk for group B streptococcal septicemia:

• Mother has a fever during labor
• Mother has group B streptococcus in her gastrointestinal, reproductive, or urinary tracts
• Rupture of membranes ("water breaks") more than 18 hours before baby is delivered
• Prematurity

Group B streptococcus may infect the fetus by traveling from the mother's bloodstream through the placenta or through ruptured membranes as the infant passes through the birth canal. The infant may also become infected after delivery.

Review Date: 08/18/2006
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.