Streptococcal disease

Streptococcal disease here is represented by group B streptococcal infection, a bacterial infection in which maternal colonization can lead to neonatal disease ^[3]. The cited literature characterizes GBS as a leading cause of newborn infection and a major cause of neonatal early-onset sepsis ^[3][2]. Beyond this perinatal framing, source-backed detail on the broader etiologic spectrum under the disease name is not yet available ^[4][5][6].

The sources identify neonatal early-onset sepsis as the principal clinical syndrome associated with GBS, and they also note that GBS is a significant cause of late-onset sepsis among young infants ^[1]. No detailed symptom list, complication profile, or organ-specific manifestations are provided in the available snippets. The material emphasizes that risk assessment and evaluation apply to newborn infants at risk for GBS disease, but source-backed detail on clinical course beyond sepsis is not yet available ^[1][2].

GBS remains the most common cause of neonatal early-onset sepsis in the United States and is described as the leading cause of newborn infection ^[1][2][3]. Maternal colonization of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts is the primary exposure state linked to neonatal early-onset disease, and approximately 50% of colonized women transmit the bacteria to their newborns ^[3]. In the absence of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, 1-2% of exposed newborns develop early-onset disease ^[3]. The sources also list gestational age under 37 weeks, very low birth weight, prolonged rupture of membranes, intraamniotic infection, young maternal age, and maternal black race as additional risk factors ^[3].

The available sources describe vertical transmission from colonized mother to newborn, usually during labor or after rupture of membranes ^[3]. Maternal colonization of the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts is the principal reservoir state described in the snippets ^[3]. Source-backed detail on other transmission routes is not yet available.

The sources identify newborns and young infants as the main affected population, with particular attention to infants at risk for early-onset disease ^[1][3]. Reported risk factors for neonatal GBS early-onset disease include maternal colonization, gestational age under 37 weeks, very low birth weight, prolonged rupture of membranes, intraamniotic infection, young maternal age, and maternal black race ^[3]. Source-backed detail on additional risk groups is not yet available.

The only currently available effective strategy identified for prevention of perinatal GBS early-onset disease is intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis ^[1]. The sources also support universal antenatal microbiologic testing or universal prenatal vaginal-rectal screening to detect maternal colonization and guide prophylaxis ^[1][3]. Additional prevention measures mentioned include correct specimen collection and processing and coordination with pediatric care providers ^[3]. The snippets state that there is no effective approach for prevention of late-onset disease in the available guidance ^[1].

For surveillance purposes, this entity should be interpreted primarily as perinatal group B streptococcal disease with a strong neonatal focus, especially early-onset sepsis ^[1][2]. Detection of maternal colonization through universal screening is presented as a key upstream measure that supports case prevention and risk stratification ^[1][3]. Source-backed detail on broader population burden outside neonatal and young-infant disease is not yet available.

1. 1 Puopolo KM et al. Management of Infants at Risk for Group B Streptococcal Disease. Pediatrics. 2019 Aug. PMID: 31285392. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-1881. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31285392/
2. 2 Verani JR et al. Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease--revised guidelines from CDC, 2010. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2010 Nov 19. PMID: 21088663. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21088663/
3. 3 Prevention of Group B Streptococcal Early-Onset Disease in Newborns: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 797. Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Feb. PMID: 31977795. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003668. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31977795/
4. 4 Streptococcal Disease. Foodborne Infections and Intoxications. 2013. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-416041-5.00013-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-416041-5.00013-5
5. 5 Streptococcal Disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 1939. doi: 10.1056/nejm193901192200305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm193901192200305
6. 6 Streptococcal Disease. BMJ. 1965. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5439.915-b. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.5439.915-b

ICD-10

ICD-11

Total cases

4.0M

Peak month

2023-12

Coverage

2 reporting countries · 2000-01-01 → 2026-06-20