Pneumonia in the neonate associated with group B streptococcal septicemia
V. G. Hemming, D. W. McCloskey and H. R. Hill
Fifteen newborns referred to the University of Utah Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit (NICU) between 1971 and 1974 had septicemia and bronchopneumonia
caused by streptococci of Lancefield group B. Eight of these infants could
not be distinguished from others with idiopathic respiratory distress
syndrome. All eight died and at autopsy were found to have
bronchopneumonia. At autopsy, five of the ten subjects had bilateral
pleural effusions. Eight of these early onset infections were caused by
type III strains, three by type II strains, and four by Ia strains. The
three survivors were infected by Ia organisms; two of these patients
received antimicrobial therapy within one hour of birth and the other was
treated at 20 hours of age. Among the 12 patients who died, six received no
antibiotics and five were treated 12 or more hours after delivery. Earlier
recognition may lead to more efficacious therapy of this most fulminant
infection of the newborn.
