Epidemiology of group B streptococcus (GBS) carriage in mothers and their neonates at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
Two hundred mothers and their newborn babies were
examined for the presence of Group B streptococcus
(GBS), at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), during a
three month period, between May and August 1985-
Ten of the two hundred mothers were found to be
positive for GBS, giving a vaginal colonization rate of
5%. Of the two hundred babies examined, twenty nine" were
positive for GBS giving a carriage rate of 14* - 60jS of
the positive mothers had babies who were also positive,
while only 12.1/S of the GBS negative mothers had positive
babies, thus indicating that the chances of a baby
acquiring GBS were significantly higher if the mother was
vaginally positive for GBS.
There was no association between GBS colonization and
maternal age, parity, contraceptive use or obstetrical
complications. No association was found between GBS
colonization of the babies and the infants sex, gestational
age or birth weight. However, when GBS disease was
considered, though numbers were small, the low birth weight
(LBW) babies were mainly affected.
The attack rate for GBS disease was found to be 6.9
per 100 colonized babies. The death rate was higher in
the GBS colonized babies, however the difference was not
statistically significant.
GBS was found to be sensitive to penicillin, cloxacillin.
ampicillin and erythromycin, but resistant to streptomycin.
Citation
Degree of Master of Medicine (Paedetrics) at the University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi Department of Public Health
Description
A dissertation presented in part fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Medicine (Paedetrics) at the University of Nairobi