PNEUMONIA IN NEONATE ASSOCIATED WITH GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCAL SEPTICEMIA

Newborns (15) referred to the University of Utah Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from 1971-1974 had septicemia and bronchopneumonia caused by streptococci of Lancefield group B. Eight of these infants could not be distinguished from others with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. All 8 died and at autopsy were found to have bronchopneumonia. At autopsy 5 of the 10 subjects had bilateral pleural effusions. Eight of these early onset infections were caused by type III strains, 3 by type II strains and 4 by Ia strains. The 3 survivors were infected by Ia organisms; 2 of these patients received antimicrobial therapy within 1 h of birth and the other was treated at 20 h of age. Of the 12 patients who died, 6 received no antibiotics and 5 were treated .gtoreq. 12 h after delivery. Earlier recognition may lead to more efficacious therapy of this most fulminant infection of the newborn.