Group B strep is caused by a kind of bacteria that is only vaguely related to the bacteria that causes strep throat. In fact, this bacteria is present on the vagina, anus and in the intestines of many women, where it does not cause any symptoms, aside from the occasional urinary tract infection. However, it is possible for this bacteria to be passed from the mother to the infant, where, because of the infant's weak immune system, it can cause serious health problems.
Early vs. Late Onset
Early onset and late onset group B strep infections can be differentiated by when the infection begins. Early onset group B strep infections generally occur in the infant's first 24 hours of life. Late onset infections begin somewhere between one week and three months after birth. Early symptoms of a group B strep infection will manifest themselves within three days after the initial infection.
Early Symptoms
The earliest symptom of a group B strep infection is a mild to moderate fever, below 101 degrees Fahrenheit. The child will also become "fussy" and may start to stop feeding. The infant may also begin to have trouble breathing, which can manifest itself in the child making grunting sounds.
Later Symptoms
As the disease progresses, the child may begin to exhibit more serious symptoms. One of these is a change in muscle tone, which can cause her to either become very stiff or limp. The child may also begin to have seizures. Finally, the infant may experience a sudden drop in her blood pressure and heart rate.
Life Threatening Symptoms
Children who are infected with group B strep may have their infection develop into sepsis (infection of the bloodstream), pneumonia and meningitis. The sepsis will cause a sudden spike in temperature, as well as the risk of the child slipping into a coma. Pneumonia will result in coughing, wheezing and the infant struggling to breathe. Meningitis will cause the pupils to dilate as the pressure in the brain increases, and can cause the entire body to become rigid while the child loses consciousness.
Diagnosis
In general, group B strep is detected in infants by testing blood and spinal fluid. Because this is a bacterial disease, the bacteria can be cultured and identified by looking at it under a microscope and culturing it on a special type of growing substance called blood agar. Blood and spinal fluid is also useful for determining how far the disease has spread in the body. Similar tests can be done on the mother if an infection of the infant is suspected, as the disease is usually transmitted from the mother to the infant.
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