Early onset neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis is a serious neonatal illness
with high morbidity and mortality. The disease can present in two forms: early clinical
manifestation with respiratory distress soon after birth or late presentation with
gradual onset of signs of sepsis. The former carries a high risk for serious cardiovascular
complication with persistent pulmonary hypertension; the latter is often complicated
with meningitis that may lead to serious neurodevelopmental impairment. An important
advance in the past three decades is the development and implementation of preventive
strategy for this disease by universal screening and identification of maternal GBS
carriers and/or risk factors with subsequent use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.
The strategy has resulted in a significant reduction of the disease from 1.5 to 0.3/1,000
live births over the past three decades. Some women may have unknown GBS status. The
American Academy of Pediatrics has developed an algorithm as guidance for the management
of the newborns.
Keywords
neonatal sepsis - chorioamnionitis - intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis - GBS screening
