[Epidemiology of maternal-fetal group B streptococcal infections].

GOAL: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of maternal-fetal infection due to group B streptococcus.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We identified all cases of maternal-fetal group B streptococcus infection between January 2003 and December 2007, from neonatal unit reports at the Charles Nicolle Hospital.

RESULTS

Ninety cases were identified out of 17,922 live births, incidence 5 ‰ of which 2.3 ‰ of bacteremia. Twenty percent of all newborns were premature and 22.2% had a low birth weight. Peripartum maternal fever was recorded in 52.2% of cases and membrane rupture more than 12 hours before delivery occurred in 74.4%. Among the newborns, 45.6% were symptomatic at birth. Forty percent of group B streptococci were resistant to erythromycin and 3.3% with intermediate resistance to ampicillin. The global neonatal mortality after group B streptococcus infection was 3.3%.

CONCLUSION

Maternal-fetal infection due to group B streptococcus is still frequent and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality.