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Group B Streptococcus Infection, not Birth Asphyxia
Author(s) -
Keogh John M.,
Badawi Nadia,
Kurinczuk Jennifer J.,
Pemberton P.J.,
Stanley F.J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1999.tb03457.x
Subject(s) - asphyxia , medicine , neonatal sepsis , group b , fetal distress , sepsis , obstetrics , fetus , placenta , streptococcus , antibiotics , pregnancy , pediatrics , surgery , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics
Summary: This case illustrates 2 main points. Firstly, fetal infection can mimic exactly both the immediate and delayed signs of perinatal asphyxia. Secondly, the placenta may hold the key to the diagnosis of sepsis which may be made difficult in the neonate by labour ward practices such as the use of intrapartum and immediate newborn antibiotics. We strongly support the recommendation that newborn blood and fetal membrane cultures should always be obtained in babies with a diagnosis of ‘intrapartum asphyxia and fetal distress’ (1). To this we would add the recommendation that placental histology be performed in these circumstances.