Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal colonization. Acquisition, persistence, and effect of umbilical cord treatment with triple dye
E. R. Wald, M. J. Snyder and R. L. Gutberlet
Following an outbreak of group B beta-hemolytic streptococcal neonatal
infection (GBS), a prevalence survey of GBS colonization was performed on
238 infants. No important differences were noted in the prevalence of
colonization when the infants were grouped according to age. Follow-up of
24 colonized babies for three months disclosed that most had persistence of
GBS at the rectum and pharynx. Local umbilical cord care with triple dye
(TD) or hexachlorophene skin cleanser was compared with untreated controls
with respect to rates of GBS colonization. At birth the colonization rates
of the three groups were similar. The rate of acquisition of colonization
with GBS was 1.0% in the TD group, 6.3% in the hexachlorophene group, and
8.3% in the control group. Triple dye was much more effective than no
specific cord care or hexachlorophene in preventing acquisition of GBS
colonization.
