Are Certain Babies More Vulnerable to GBS Disease?
Premature babies, with their less-developed bodies and immune systems, are more vulnerable to GBS infections than other older infants. Premature babies infected with GBS are at higher risk for long-term complications and/or death. Since most babies are born full term, however, full term babies account for 70% of the cases of GBS disease in newborns.The majority (80%) of the cases of GBS disease among newborns occur in the first week of life. This is called *early onset* disease. Most of these babies are ill within a few hours after birth. Babies who develop early onset disease may have one or more of the following symptoms: problems with temperature regulations, grunting sounds, fever, seizures, breathing problems, unusual change in behavior, stiffness, or extreme limpness. GBS disease may also develop in infants one week to several months after birth. This is called *late onset* disease. Meningitis is more common with late onset GBS disease.
Premature babies, with their less-developed bodies and immune systems, are more vulnerable to GBS infections than other older infants. Premature babies infected with GBS are at higher risk for long-term complications and/or death. Since most babies are born full term, however, full term babies account for 70% of the cases of GBS disease in newborns. The majority (80%) of the cases of GBS disease among newborns occur in the first week of life. This is called *early onset* disease. Most of these babies are ill within a few hours after birth. Babies who develop early onset disease may have one or more of the following symptoms: problems with temperature regulations, grunting sounds, fever, seizures, breathing problems, unusual change in behavior, stiffness, or extreme limpness. GBS disease may also develop in infants one week to several months after birth. This is called *late onset* disease. Meningitis is more common with late onset GBS disease. About half of late onset GBS disease can b
