A Comparison of Early-Onset Group B Streptococcal Neonatal Infection and the Respiratory-Distress Syndrome of the Newborn

Abstract

In attempting to differentiate early-onset Group B streptococcal infection from hyaline-membrane disease we found features of severe Group B infection to be rupture of the membranes for more than 12 hours before delivery (four of eight versus one of nine), gram-positive cocci in the gastric aspirate (four of four versus none of one), apnea and shock in the first 24 hours of life (seven of eight versus none of nine), and the generation of lower peak inspiratory pressures on a volume-cycled respirator (mean of 36.5 ± 2.8 versus 63.9 ± 6.2 cm of water; P = 0.005).