NEONATAL GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN INDIAN (ASIAN) BABIES IN SOUTH-AFRICA

In this, the first report of group B streptococcal (GBS) infections in Asian neonates in South Africa, the incidence was 2·65/1000 live births over a period of 3·5 years. Early onset disease (EOD), defined as arising ≤ 5 days after birth, was present in 79 % cases; in most of these, the onset was before the age of 24 h. One baby presented with two episodes of late onset GBS infection. The incidence of culture-proven neonatal septicaemia during the same period was 12·3/1000 live births, GBS being commonest organism isolated. It was also the most frequent cause of bacterial meningitis in the newborn, accounting for 89 % cases. Although neurological signs were present in 40 % patients with EOD, only 13·3 % had CSF-culture-positive meningitis. Radiographic features of hyaline membrane disease were found in half of the babies with EOD and for whom a chest radiograph was performed, while one had a pneumothorax. The overall mortality was 13·2 % which is much lower than that reported in other series. © 1991 The British Society for the Study of Infection.