• Barbara J Stoll, Nellie I Hansen, Pablo J Sánchez, Roger G Faix, Brenda B Poindexter, Krisa P Van Meurs, Matthew J Bizzarro, Ronald N Goldberg, Ivan D Frantz, Ellen C Hale, Seetha Shankaran, Kathleen Kennedy, Waldemar A Carlo, Kristi L Watterberg, Edward F Bell, Michele C Walsh, Kurt Schibler, Abbot R Laptook, Andi L Shane, Stephanie J Schrag, Abhik Das, Rosemary D Higgins, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network.
• Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta, GA, USA. barbara_stoll@oz.ped.emory.edu
• Pediatrics. 2011 May 1;127(5):817-26.

BackgroundGuidelines for prevention of group B streptococcal (GBS) infection have successfully reduced early onset (EO) GBS disease. Study results suggest that Escherichia coli is an important EO pathogen.ObjectiveTo determine EO infection rates, pathogens, morbidity, and mortality in a national network of neonatal centers.MethodsInfants with EO infection were identified by prospective surveillance at Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Network centers. Infection was defined by positive culture results for blood and cerebrospinal fluid obtained from infants aged ≤72 hours plus treatment with antibiotic therapy for ≥5 days. Mother and infant characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were studied. Numbers of cases and total live births (LBs) were used to calculate incidence.ResultsAmong 396 586 LBs (2006-2009), 389 infants developed EO infection (0.98 cases per 1000 LBs). Infection rates increased with decreasing birth weight. GBS (43%, 0.41 per 1000 LBs) and E coli (29%, 0.28 per 1000 LBs) were most frequently isolated. Most infants with GBS were term (73%); 81% with E coli were preterm. Mothers of 67% of infected term and 58% of infected preterm infants were screened for GBS, and results were positive for 25% of those mothers. Only 76% of mothers with GBS colonization received intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Although 77% of infected infants required intensive care, 20% of term infants were treated in the normal newborn nursery. Sixteen percent of infected infants died, most commonly with E coli infection (33%).ConclusionIn the era of intrapartum chemoprophylaxis to reduce GBS, rates of EO infection have declined but reflect a continued burden of disease. GBS remains the most frequent pathogen in term infants, and E coli the most significant pathogen in preterm infants. Missed opportunities for GBS prevention continue. Prevention of E coli sepsis, especially among preterm infants, remains a challenge.

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