Maternal group B streptococcus infection, neonatal outcome and the role of preventive strategies.

To determine the newborn infection rate with group B streptococcus infection (GBS) before and after American Academy of Pediatrics Protocol (AAP) implementation in Croatia, antenatal risk factors, neonatal outcome and necessity for introducing national policy for intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. To evaluate the role of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis in preterm labor at < 37 weeks of gestation, premature rupture of membranes at < 37 weeks of gestation, fever during labor, ruptures of membranes > 18 hours before delivery and previous delivery of a sibling with GBS disease. A total of 784 neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005. 60 (10/1000 live born) developed early-onset infection (EOGBS). The dominant presentation for EOGBS was sepsis (65%), pneumonia (32.2%) and meningitis (3%). Mean gestational age was 34.5 (+/- 5.3) weeks. There were 2 neonatal deaths (3%) in EOGBS, both preterm. EOGBS disease was associated with following risk factors: rupture of the membranes > 12 hours (49.3%), chorioamnionitis (11.9%), status post cerclage (10.4%), diabetes mellitus (4.5%), delivery out of hospital (3%), uroinfection (1.5%). After AAP implementation the incidence of GBS infection decreased from 15/1000 to 10/1000 of live born infants. The mortality from EOGBS dropped from 5% to 3%. The incidence of GBS infection in our study was considerably higher than in all current reports. Reasons for that can be inadequate perinatal screen in some parts of the country and no established policy for intrapartum antibiotic treatment of women with risk factors. Our results documented that intrapartum chemo-prophylaxis for GBS infection significantly reduces perinatal mortality due to neonatal infection and sepsis.