Systemic group D streptococcal infection in newborn infants
J. J. Buchino, E. Ciambarella and I. Light
Thirteen cases of group D streptococcal neonatal sepsis and/or meningitis
were identified at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital from 1970 to 1976.
Ages at onset of disease ranged from 1 to 25 days. The most frequent
symptoms were fever (five cases), lethargy (five cases), and respiratory
difficulty (four cases). Blood cultures for seven infants were positive;
CSF cultures for five infants were positive; and CSF and blood cultures for
one infant were both positive. In 12 patients, parenteral antibiotic
therapy consisted of a penicillin and an aminoglycoside. One infant with a
severe meningomyelocele died. The other 12 infants showed a rapid clinical
response with seven patients improving within 48 hours of the start of
therapy. Infection with group D streptococcus results in a low-grade
systemic disease in both full-term and premature infants that responds
favorably to appropriate therapy.
