How Does Group B Strep Harn Infants?
In some cases, the Group B Strep transmitted from the mother gets into the infant’s bloodstream. When this happens, it can lead to sepsis (an infection that has spread throughout the body) and even meningitis. The result can be a permanent disability, or, in some cases, death. The majority of cases, approximately 75 percent, of Group B Strep infections occur within the first week of birth. Most of these occur within a few hours after birth. This is termed an “early onset” of the disease. Almost all other infants who develop a Group B Strep infection do so between one week three months after birth. This is termed a “late onset” of the disease. Approximately one-half of late onset cases are related to the transmition of the Group B Strep bacteria from the mother. The remaining one-half of late onset of Group B Strep cases are of unknown origin. What are the long term effects of Group B Strep disease? Infants infected with Group B Strep are at risk of such long term effects as blindness,
