PEDIATRICS Vol. 60 No. 3 September 1977, pp. 356-359
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Natural History of Neonatal Colonization With Group B Streptococci

William T. Speck M.D.1, John M. Driscoll M.D.1, Richard A. Polin M.D.1, and Herbert S. Rosenkranz Ph.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, and the Department of Microbiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla

Thirteen percent of the newborns in our study group were colonized with group B streptococci on day 3. This colonization rate appeared constant during the first two weeks of life and then decreased to 5%. Of the babies colonized on day 3, 59% and 91% were culture-negative on days 14 and 42, respectively. Sixty-five percent of the babies carrying group B streptococci on day 14 acquired this microorganism following discharge (day 3). Babies colonized with staphylococci or Escherichia coli were found to have decreased probability of colonization with group B streptococci.

Submitted on December 6, 1976
Accepted on March 3, 1977