Neonatal group B streptococcal infection at the Mount Hope Women's Hospital, Trinidad

Objective To determine the incidence of early onset Group B streptococcal (GBS) infection in neonates at the Mount Hope Women's Hospital, Trinidad over the period 1996-97. Design and methods This retrospective study included all babies with a positive blood culture for GBS during the study period. Results There were 9866 live births (LB) of whom 29 were diagnosed as early onset GBS disease. The incidence was 2.9/1000 LB. 37.9% of babies were preterm and 65.5% were delivered to primiparous women. Rupture of amniotic membranes occurred within 12 h of delivery in 55% of infected babies. Four of the 29 infected babies died and all were preterm. Conclusion The incidence of early onset neonatal GBS sepsis was five to six times higher in this series than that reported in the USA and UK. An intervention policy to control this preventable disease is urgently needed.