Group B Streptococcus Infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics and clinical course of the neonates with group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Material and Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2010, we retrospectively evaluated demographic features, treatment and clinical course of patients with GBS infection. Diagnosis of GBS infection was made when blood cultures were positive for GBS plus clinical and/or laboratory findings also supported GBS infection. Results: Ten (7 males and 3 females) of 8055 patients (0.124%) had culture-proven GBS infection. The median gestational age was 36 years (range 26-40 years) and birth weight was 3015 gr (range 1000-3830 gr). The presenting symptom was dyspnea in 7 patients, feeding disturbance in one and fever in one patient. Infection site was pneumonia in 5 patients, meningitis in 1 patient and could not be detected in 4 patients. Treatment with penicillin G 400.000 u/kg/d was initiated in one patient with meningitis and 200.000 u/kg/d in the remaining patients. One premature infant died while the remaining 9 patients completely recovered and were discharged after hospitalization for a median of 12.5 days (range 3-55 days). Conclusion: This study showed the importance of considering GBS infection in differential diagnosis of newborns with dyspnea and initiating appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Early and rapid diagnosis and antibiotic treatment in appropriate doses provides control of GBS infections.