Abstract
Numerous procedures have been recommended to control group B streptococcal colonization in asymptomatic infants. None has proven entirely satisfactory. The purpose of the present report is to describe the evolution of group B streptococcal colonization in our neonatal population during the first six weeks of life. Thirteen percent of newborn infants in our study population were colonized by day 03 of life. This overall colonization rate was maintained for two weeks and then decreased to 5% by the sixth week of life. Of infants colonized on day 03, 41% and 9% were colonized on day 14 and 42, respectively. Seventy percent of babies colonized on day 14 acquired this microorganism following hospital discharge. These findings which demonstrate that a significant number of children are colonized with group B streptococci following hospital discharge are new and may explain (a) the failure of routine nursery antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent subsequent neonatal disease and (b) the recurrence of group B streptococcal infection in treated infants.
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Speck, W., Polin, R., Driscoll, T. et al. EVOLUTION OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCAL COLONIZATION IN ASYMPTOMATIC INFANTS. Pediatr Res 11, 439 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00415
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00415
