Group B streptococcal disease in UK and Irish infants younger than 90 days

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 363; no. 9405; pp. 292 - 294
• Main Authors: Heath, Paul T, Balfour, Gail, Weisner, Abbie M, Efstratiou, Androulla, Lamagni, Theresa L, Tighe, Helen, O'Connell, Liam AF, Cafferkey, Mary, Verlander, Neville Q, Nicoll, Angus, McCartney, A Christine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 24-01-2004; Lancet; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Babies; Biological and medical sciences; Disease; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infants; Infections; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Ireland - epidemiology; Medical sciences; Morbidity; Mortality; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - microbiology; Prevention; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Factors; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); Streptococcal Infections - epidemiology; Streptococcal Infections - microbiology; Streptococcus agalactiae - isolation & purification; United Kingdom - epidemiology; United Kingdom; Europe; Ireland; United Kingdom > UK; Human; Mortality; Infant; Epidemiology; Morbidity; Recommendation; Incidence; Infection; Prevention; Streptococcaceae; Streptococcal infection; Streptococcus B; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Day; Public health
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)15389-5

The incidence, morbidity, and mortality of group B streptococcal disease in the UK and Republic of Ireland are largely unknown. Between Feb 1, 2000, and Feb 28, 2001, we identified cases of invasive group B streptococcal disease in infants younger than 90 days through surveillance involving paediatricians, microbiologists, and parents. 568 cases were identified, equivalent to a total incidence of 0·72 per 1000 live-births (95% CI 0·66–0·78); the incidence for early-onset disease (n=377) was 0·48 per 1000 (0·43–0·53), and for late-onset disease (n=191) was 0·24 per 1000 (0·21–0·28). Risk factors were identifiable for 218 (58%) cases of early-onset disease. 53 infants died (overall 9·7%). We have established the minimum current burden of group B streptococcal disease in UK and Irish infants. This information will assist in the formulation of guidelines for prevention of this disease.