Relationship of Neonatal Pneumonia to Maternal Urinary and Neonatal Isolates of Group B Streptococci

Of 1,500 consecutive deliveries, there were 41 term infants with suspected sepsis in association with a positive culture for group B streptococci (GBS) from either the infant soon after birth, or the mother’s urine routinely collected three days postpartum. A statistically higher incidence of pneumonia was found in these infants as compared to matched controls. Infants born to mothers with GBS in the urine had a high incidence of suspected sepsis (43.6%) as well as a high incidence of pneumonia (38.6%). We conclude that term infants colonized at birth with GBS or born to mothers with GBS isolated from their urine are at high risk of having pneumonia.