Objectives: Most common organism of bacterial meningitis was E.coli in the past. However, it is changed to group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GBS) recently. Incidence of neonatal GBS meningitis is still not reported in Korea, but sporadic cases were reported continuously. So, we investigated the exact incidence of neonatal GBS meningitis for 10 years including other clinical manifestations for it’s diagnosis and treatment.
Method: We analyzed 9 cases with chart review retrospectively who had been admitted to the pediatric ward or NICU in Wonkwang University Hospital from July 1994 to June 2004. They had proven neonatal GBS meningitis with culture or latex agglutination test in CSF.
Results: Incidence of disease was 0.79 with 0.09 in early onset and 0.7 in late onset type per 1,000 live births. Sex ratio was not different, and nearly all 8 cases (88.9%) were fullterm and late onset type. The associated obstetric factors were noted in 5 cases (55.6%), and c-section of 3 cases (33.3%) was most common factor. In clinical features, fever was seen in all cases, and lethargy and poor feeding in nearly all cases (88.9%), and irritability (55.6%), bulging fontanelle and convulsion (44.4%) were seen. There were abnormal findings in 7 cases (77.7%) <1.0 in CBC differential ratio and 8 cases (88.9%) >CRP 5 mg/dL in peripheral blood exams on admission. There were abnormal CSF findings which were increased wbc of 5 cases (55.6%, > or =1,000/mm3), neutrophil of 8 cases (88.9%), protein of 8 cases (88.9%, >200 mg/dL) and CRP of 6 cases (66.7%, 3 mg/dL), and decreased sugar of 6 cases (66.7%, <45 mg/dL) and severely decreased of 4 cases (44.4%, <20 mg/dL). There were abnormal brain CT findings in 6 cases (66.7%) such as cerebral infarction, subdural effusion, hydrocephalus, and intracranial hemorrhage. Eight cases (88.9%) were alive, and mean duration of therapy was 26.1+/-9.9 days.
Conclusion: Although the incidence of GBS is not high, it is reported to be an important organism in neonatal bacterial meningitis. So, we recommend early detection and active treatment for neonatal GBS meningitis to prevent severe complication and prolonged therapy.
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