Incidence of early onset group B streptococcal septicemia in Sweden 1973 to 1985

A retrospective investigation was made to determine the incidence of early onset group B streptococcal (GBS) septicemia in Sweden in relation to perinatal data. During the period 1973–1985 the yearly incidence of GBS septicemia increased from 0.1 to around 0.5 cases per 1,000 live births. In 416 cases verified by blood culture, the overall mortality was 15 % (62/416). In babies with a birth weight of > 2,500 g this figure was 9.6 % (29/303). In babies with a birth weight of < 2,500 g the mortality was 29.2 % (33/113). Males had a worse prognosis than females and were also more often affected. Thirty-six percent of the verified cases were premature, the gestational age being 36 weeks or less. An increased incidence among twins was also noted.