Neonatal group B streptococcal infections, in Casablanca (Morocco)

In this study, we report 32 cases of neonatal B streptococcus infection (GBS) seen from January 1, 1985 to November 30, 1996. 25 cases were early (EOD) and 7 cases late onset diseases (LOD). This pathogen represents 6.9 % of the neonatal bacterial infections confirmed during the same period. There was a link between obstetrical and neonatal infections in 21 cases of EOD (84 %) and in 3 cases of LOD. Clinical signs appeared during the first 24 hours of life in 23 cases of EOD (92 %). Respiratory signs were common in EOD (16 cases), but behavior disorders (7 cases) and thermal (6 cases) were found in LOD. In the EOD, GBS was isolated from blood cultures (BC) in 20 cases, from cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) in 7 cases, and from both in 2 cases. In the LOD, GBS was isolated from CSF in 6 cases, from CSF and BC in 1 case. 14 newborns died (43.7 %). Early complications such as ventriculis, hydrocephalus, subdural Empyema were observed in 2 cases of late onset meningitis. A strabismus occured in a survivor after meningitis. Low birth weight, severity of initial clinical score, and meningeal localization are factors of bad prognosis.