Group B beta-hemolytic streptococci as an important cause of perinatal mortality.

Bacteriological and pathological examinations of all 73 stillborn infants and 96 infants dying soon after delivery in Västerås, Sweden during the period 1971-1974 are reported. 35 infants had a severe infection. Beta-hemolytic streptococci group B were isolated in 7 cases from different organs. Intrauterine death occurred in 2 cases; 4 liveborn infants showed early signs of respiratory distress, apneic episodes and cyanosis; 1 infant showed signs of intrauterine asphyxia and was severely asphyctic at birth. Thus, infection with group B streptococci occurred in 20% of the infants who succumbed to infections during this period.