Group B strep bacteria are a common cause of infections in newborn infants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), group B strep bacteria live harmlessly in the genital or lower intestinal tract of approximately 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women. Babies can contract the bacteria from their mothers at or around the time of birth. In a newborn, these bacteria can cause serious disease. CDC reports approximately 2,300 infants in the U.S. contracted group B strep infections in 2008.
Sepsis
Group B strep can cause a bloodstream infection called sepsis. This is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition in an infant as the bacteria are distributed throughout the body. Symptoms of group B strep sepsis include breathing difficulties, a bluish tint to the skin, an abnormally high or low body temperature, poor feeding and sluggishness. Group B strep sepsis can appear within hours of birth up to age 3 months. CDC reports group B strep is the most common cause of sepsis in newborns.
Meningitis
Group B strep can cause meningitis in a newborn. Meningitis is an infection of the protective tissues that cover the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms of meningitis in a newborn include irritability, abnormally high or low body temperature, poor feeding, decreased activity level, drowsiness and seizures. Group B strep meningitis is a potentially life-threatening disease. Children who survive may have permanent neurological damage resulting in cerebral palsy, blindness or hearing loss. CDC reports group B strep is the most common cause of meningitis in newborns.
Pneumonia
Group B strep is a common cause of pneumonia in newborn infants. Symptoms are often similar to those of sepsis and include breathing difficulties, pale or blue skin, abnormally high or low body temperature, poor feeding, irritability and sluggishness. Although it most commonly presents during the first week of life, group B strep pneumonia can occur anytime from birth through 3 months of age. Group B strep infections occurring during the first week of life are termed early-onset disease. Those occurring after the first week of life through 3 months of age are termed late-onset disease.
Bone and Joint Infections
Group B strep can cause bone and joint infections in infants. These forms of group B strep infection generally occur as late-onset disease. The upper arm is a common site for group B strep bone infection in a newborn, although other bones may be affected. When the joints are infected, the legs are most commonly involved. Babies with group B strep bone and joint infections may or may not have fever. Decreased movement in the affected limb is usually the tipoff that something is wrong. Successfully treated group B strep bone and joint infections in newborns usually cause no long-term damage.
References
- The Journal of the American Medical Association: Epidemiology of Invasive Group B Streptococcal Disease in the United States, 1999-2005
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: ABCs Report, Group B Streptococcus 2008
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MMWR: Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease, Revised Guidelines from CDC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Group B Strep Prevention, Frequently Asked Questions
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: GBS Technical Overview
