Invasive Group B Streptococcal disease in newborns at Groote Schuur Hospital

Background. Group B Streptococcal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns globally, and is more common in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Africa. There are few studies reporting on the burden of invasive Group B Streptococcus disease (iGBS) in newborns in South Africa, especially in the Western Cape. Objective. This study aims to describe a case series of newborns with iGBS in a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape. Methods. A retrospective folder review was conducted between January 2015 and December 2020. Results. Thirty five cases of invasive GBS disease were included in the study, 51% with earlyonset disease (EoD) and 49% with late-onset disease (LoD). The median gestational age at birth was 27 and 31.5 weeks in the LoD and EoD groups respectively. The median birth weight was 900 g and 1812 g in the LoD and EoD group respectively. Meningits was more common in the LoD group, and pneumonia more common in the EoD group. The overall mortality rate was 23%, and GBS disease accounted for a cumulative 274 days in the intensive care unit. Conclusion. Invasive GBS disease in newborns at GSH carries a high mortality rate with a similar burden of LoD and EoD. More studies of newborn iGBS are needed in the Western Cape and South Africa to better understand the burden of disease.

Grantor

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Browne, Bradley

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Tooke, Lloyd

• Paediatrics

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/39301

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/39301