| Title | Invasive group B streptococcal infections in Finland: a population-based study. | | Author(s) | Lyytikäinen O, Nuorti JP, Halmesmäki E, Carlson P, Uotila J, Vuento R, Ranta T, Sarkkinen H, Ammälä M, Kostiala A, Järvenpää AL | | Institution | National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. outi.lyytikainen@ktl.fi | | Source | Emerg Infect Dis 2003 Apr; 9(4):469-73. | | MeSH | Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Finland
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Population Surveillance
Questionnaires
Registries
Streptococcal Infections
Streptococcus agalactiae
| | Abstract | We analyzed surveillance data on group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in Finland from 1995 to 2000 and reviewed neonatal cases of early-onset GBS infection in selected hospitals in 1999 to 2000. From 1995 to 2000, 853 cases were reported (annual incidence 2.2-3.0/100,000 population). We found 32-38 neonatal cases of early-onset GBS disease per year (annual incidence 0.6-0.7/1,000 live births). In five hospitals, 35% of 26 neonatal cases of early-onset GBS infection had at least one risk factor: prolonged rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, or intrapartum fever. Five of eight mothers screened for GBS were colonized. In one case, disease developed despite intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Although the incidence of early-onset GBS disease in Finland is relatively low, some geographic variation exists, and current prevention practices are suboptimal. Establishing national guidelines to prevent perinatal GBS is likely to reduce the incidence of the disease. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 12702228 |
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