Group B strep disease

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Group B strep infection can lead to life-threatening complications in infants, including:

  • Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)
  • Inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
  • Infection in the bloodstream (bacteremia)

If you're a pregnant woman, group B strep can cause:

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Infection of the placenta and amniotic fluid (chorioamnionitis)
  • Inflammation and infection of the membrane lining the uterus (endometritis)
  • Infection of the bloodstream (sepsis)

If you're an older adult or you have a chronic health condition, group B strep bacteria may cause complications such as:

  • Skin infection (cellulitis)
  • Infection of the bloodstream (sepsis)
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)
  • Bone and joint infections
  • Infection of the heart valves (endocarditis)
  • Inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
Tests and diagnosis Risk factors

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • Sepsis

    • Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
References
  1. Puopolo KM, et al. Group B streptococcal infection in neonates and young infants. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
  2. Group B strep prevention: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/GroupBStrep/general/gen_public_faq.htm. Accessed Oct. 4, 2010.
  3. Group B strep prevention: Adult disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/general/gen_public_adult.htm. Accessed Oct. 4, 2010.
  4. Group B strep prevention: Protect your baby from group B strep! Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/general/protect-your-baby-GBS.htm. Accessed Oct. 4, 2010.
  5. Ogle JW, et al. Infections: Bacterial & spirochetal. In: Hay WW Jr, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3410745. Accessed Oct. 4, 2010.
  6. Lachenauer CS, et al. Group B streptococcus. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/221546375-2/0/1608/528.html?tocnode=54478925&fromURL=528.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50185-7_4188. Accessed Oct. 4, 2010.
  7. Baron M, et al. Group B streptococcal infections in nonpregnant adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 28, 2010.
  8. Apgar BS, et al. Prevention of group B streptococcal disease in the newborn. American Family Physician. 2005;71:903.
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Prevention of perinatal group B streptococcal disease. MMWR. 2002;51:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5111a1.htm. Accessed Oct. 7, 2010.
DS01107 Dec. 4, 2010

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