Intrapartum Antibiotic Treatment Research Articles

Low Rate of Perinatal Sepsis in Term Infants of Mothers with Chorioamnionitis.

The risk of infection in infants of mothers with chorioamnionitis (CAM) may be lower than previously reported. This study's objective was to determine the incidence of intrapartum fever (IPF) and culture-positive early-onset bacterial neonatal infection (CPEOI) in the late preterm and term infants of mothers with or without CAM and to assess interhospital variation in neonatal infection management. This retrospective cohort study included mothers and newborns delivered at ≥35 weeks gestation at Kaiser Permanente Southern California Hospitals in 2010 (n = 31,112). Electronic medical and laboratory records from 13 medical centers were examined for maternal temperature, intrapartum, and neonatal antibiotic treatment. Rates for IPF, CAM, and CPEOI were estimated. Rates for starting neonatal antibiotics were calculated. The incidence of IPF was 9% and CAM 4%. The overall rate for CPEOI was 0.61/1,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34, 0.89/1,000). The rate of CPEOI was 4.0/1,000 (95% CI 0.50, 7.5/1,000) in infants born to mothers with CAM. The rate of beginning antibiotics for infants born to mothers with CAM ranged from 7 to 76% between nurseries. The rate of CPEOI in infants born to mothers with CAM is lower than previously reported. There is heterogeneity in initiation of neonatal antibiotics by neonatologists.

Does maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment prolong the incubation time required for blood cultures to become positive for infants with early-onset sepsis?

We hypothesized that maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment delays the growth of the organism in the blood culture obtained during the work-up for infants with suspected early-onset sepsis (EOS). Single center, retrospective review of infants with blood culture-proven EOS over 13.5 years period. EOS was defined by isolation of a pathogen from blood culture obtained within 72 hours of birth and antibiotic treatment for ≥ 5 days. Among 81 infants with positive blood cultures, 38 were deemed to have EOS and 43 were deemed contaminants. The organisms grown were as follows: Escherichia coli in 17 infants, Group B streptococcus in 10 infants, and others in 11 infants. Overall, 17 infants with EOS did not receive intrapartum antibiotics and had blood cultures drawn for being symptomatic after birth. The other 21 infants who received intrapartum antibiotics had blood culture drawn primarily for maternal chorioamnionitis. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) incubation time to blood culture positivity was not different in infants who received intrapartum antibiotics compared with infants who did not (19.6 hours, IQR 16-28 hours vs. 19.5 hours, IQR 17.2-21.6 hours, p = 0.7489). Maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment did not delay the time to blood culture positivity in infants with EOS.

The Acceptability of a Novel Group B Streptococcus Vaccine in Pregnant Women

INTRODUCTION: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the leading infectious cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Currently, intrapartum antibiotic treatment is the only means to decrease vertical transmission. Studies have shown that a vaccine administered during the third trimester is the most cost-effective option for GBS prevention, but the acceptability of such a vaccine to pregnant women is unknown. METHODS: Women 18 years of age or older and 20–40 weeks of gestation at the time of their obstetric visit to two university-affiliated clinics were eligible for participation. Participants read an informational handout on GBS and completed a survey rating, on an 11-point scale (0–10), the likelihood they would elect to receive vaccines with five variable characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 17. Conjoint analysis determined importance scores, which reflected the degree to which vaccine dimensions influenced scenario ratings (the sum of importance scores across the five dimensions 100). RESULTS: One hundred of 120 women approached completed the survey. The mean acceptability rating across all scenarios was 6.7 (standard deviation 2.3). Health care provider recommendation was the most influential (importance score 38.5) followed by vaccine efficacy (importance score 29.1). Vaccine cost (importance score 13.2), percentage of women vaccinated (importance score 11.8), and side effects (importance score 8.3) had less influence on ratings. CONCLUSIONS: When a GBS vaccine becomes available, health care provider endorsement, and therefore preemptive education will be critical in achieving high levels of vaccination in the pregnant population.

1167 Does Maternal Intrapartum Antibiotics Prolong the Incubation Time Required for Blood Cultures to Become Positive for Infants with Early-Onset Sepsis?

We hypothesize that maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment delays the growth of organism in the blood culture obtained during the workup for infants with suspected early-onset sepsis (EOS). The aim is...

Increasing Incidence of Late-onset Neonatal Invasive Group B Streptococcal Infections in Iceland

Group B streptococci (GBS) may cause life-threatening invasive infections in infants. The incidence of these infections has been increasing during the last decades. The aim of the study was to determine the epidemiology of neonatal GBS infections to be able to implement therapeutic and preventive measures more effectively. A retrospective case study was conducted in Iceland that included all neonates with positive GBS cultures from blood or cerebrospinal fluid during the period 1975 to 2006. Serotyping of all available GBS isolates was performed. A total of 87 children with 89 infections were included in the study. In all, 53 infants had early-onset (EO) GBS infections (occurring <7 days after birth) and 34 had late-onset (LO) infections (occurring on days 7-90). EO infections increased during the first 3 quartiles of the study period but decreased during the last quartile. LO infections increased throughout the entire study period. GBS was cultured from cerebrospinal fluid in 21 patients; 9 with EO and 12 with LO infections. Premature infants comprised 15 with EO and 14 with LO infections. Eight children died of GBS infection, 7 with EO and 1 with LO infections; no correlation with serotypes was found. Serotype III was most common for both EO (34%) and LO infections (62%). The number of GBS infections increased during the study period. The decrease in EO infections in recent years could be attributed to intrapartum antibiotic treatment. The increasing number of LO infections is a concern.

WITHDRAWN. Intrapartum antibiotics for Group B streptococcal colonisation.

Group B streptococcal infection is common in pregnant women without causing harm. However it is also a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of intrapartum administration of antibiotics to women on infant colonization with group B streptococcus, early onset neonatal group B streptococcus sepsis and neonatal death from infection. The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched. Controlled trials of pregnant women colonized with group B streptococcus comparing intrapartum antibiotic administration with no treatment, and providing data on infant colonization with group B streptococcus and/or neonatal infection. Eligibility and trial quality assessment were done by one reviewer. Five trials were included. Overall quality was poor, with potential selection bias in all the identified studies. Intrapartum antibiotic treatment reduced the rate of infant colonization (odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.14) and early onset neonatal infection with group B streptococcus (odds ratio 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.39). A difference in neonatal mortality was not seen (odds ratio 0.12, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 2.00). Intrapartum antibiotic treatment of women colonized with group B streptococcus appears to reduce neonatal infection. Effective strategies to detect maternal colonization with group B streptococcus and better data on maternal risk factors for neonatal group B streptococcus infection in different populations are required.

Infectious Disease Morbidity Among Young HIV-1–Exposed But Uninfected Infants in Latin American and Caribbean Countries: The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development International Site Development Initiative Perinatal Study

The goal was to describe the frequency, characteristics, and correlates of infectious disease morbidity during the first 6 months of life among HIV-1-exposed but uninfected infants. The study population consisted of infants enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development International Site Development Initiative Perinatal Study who were HIV-1 uninfected and had follow-up data through the 6-month study visit. Definitive and presumed infections were recorded at study visits (birth, 6-12 weeks, and 6 months). Of 462 HIV-1-uninfected infants with 11,644 child-weeks of observation, 283 experienced > or = 1 infection. These 283 infants experienced 522 infections (1.8 infections per infant). The overall incidence rate of infections was 4.5 cases per 100 child-weeks of observation. Overall, the most common infections were skin or mucous membrane infections (1.9 cases per 100 child-weeks) and respiratory tract infections (1.7 cases per 100 child-weeks). Thirty-six percent of infants had > 1 respiratory tract infection (1.8 cases per 100 child-weeks). Incidence rates of upper and lower respiratory tract infections were similar (0.89 cases per 100 child-weeks and 0.9 cases per 100 child-weeks, respectively). Cutaneous and/or oral candidiasis occurred in 48 neonates (10.3%) and 92 older infants (19.3%). Early neonatal sepsis was diagnosed in 12 infants (26.0 cases per 1000 infants). Overall, 81 of 462 (17.5%) infants were hospitalized with an infection. Infants with lower respiratory tract infections were hospitalized frequently (40.7%). The occurrence of > or = 1 neonatal infection was associated with more-advanced maternal HIV-1 disease, tobacco use during pregnancy, infant anemia, and crowding. Lower maternal CD4+ cell counts, receipt of intrapartum antibiotic treatment, and country of residence were associated with postneonatal infections. Close monitoring of HIV-1-exposed infants, especially those who are anemic at birth or whose mothers have more-advanced HIV-1 disease or who smoked during pregnancy, remains important.

Risk Factors for Invasive, Early-Onset Escherichia coli Infections in the Era of Widespread Intrapartum Antibiotic Use

The goal was to evaluate risk factors for invasive Escherichia coli infections in the first week of life (early onset), focusing on the role of intrapartum antibiotic use. We conducted a retrospective case-control study. Between 1997 and 2001, case infants, defined as infants < 7 days of age with E coli isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid, were identified in selected counties of California, Georgia, and Connecticut by the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance/Emerging Infections Program Network. Control infants (N = 1212) were identified from a labor and delivery record review of a stratified random sample of live births at the same hospitals in 1998 and 1999. Surveillance identified 132 E coli cases, including 68 ampicillin-resistant cases. The case fatality rate was 16% (21 of 132 cases). Two thirds of case infants were preterm, and 49% (64 of 132 infants) were born at < or = 33 weeks of gestation. Fifty-three percent of case mothers (70 of 132 mothers) received intrapartum antibiotic therapy; 70% of those received ampicillin or penicillin. Low gestational age (< or = 33 weeks), intrapartum fever, and membrane rupture of > or = 18 hours were associated with increased odds of early-onset E coli infection. Results were similar when case subjects were limited to those infected with ampicillin-resistant strains. Exposure to any intrapartum antibiotic treatment, beta-lactam antibiotic treatment, or > or = 4 hours of intrapartum antibiotic therapy was associated with increased odds of E coli infection and ampicillin-resistant infection in univariate analyses. Among preterm infants, intrapartum antibiotic exposure did not remain associated with either outcome in multivariable models. Among term infants, exposure to > or = 4 hours of intrapartum antibiotic therapy was associated with decreased odds of early-onset E coli infection. Exposure to intrapartum antibiotic therapy did not increase the odds of invasive, early-onset E coli infection. Intrapartum antibiotic therapy was effective in preventing E coli infection only among term infants.

A Population-Based Comparison of Strategies to Prevent Early-Onset Group B Streptococcal Disease in Neonates

In 1996 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommended one of two courses for healthcare providers toidentify women who should receive intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent group B streptococcal (GBS) disease in infants aged 1 week or less: screening by culture or assessment of clinical risk factors. These two approaches have now been compared in a retrospective cohort study of approximately 630,000 live births. Study cases were accessed in the years 1998-1999 in eight geographic areas of the United States where active surveillance for GBS infection was under way. A random sample of these areas yielded 5144 births. The 312 cases of early onset GBS disease translated into an overall incidence of 0.5 case per 1000 live births. No clinical risk factors for transmitting GBS disease were identified in 62% of cases. More than half of the women in the overall population (52%) were screened before delivery. On univariate analysis, prenatal culture screening correlated with a lower risk of early onset GBS disease than was the clinical risk-based approach; the relative risk (RR) was 0.48. The most prominent risk factors were a previous infant having GBS disease and intrapartum fever. GBS bacteriuria during pregnancy was not a factor, but more than 80% of all women with bacteriuria received intrapartum antibiotics. Screening continued to be associated with a reduced risk on multivariate analysis (RR, 0.46). Screening protected full-term infants when analyzed separately. Intrapartum antibiotic treatment was 89% effective in preventing early onset GBS disease in culture-positive women. It was estimated that, assuming perfect implementation of either strategy, intrapartum antibiotics would be used in 31% of screened women and 29% of those having risk-based assessment. These findings suggest that it makes sense to further consider a recommendation favoring universal screening to prevent GBS disease in newborn infants.

Body temperature of newborns: what is normal?

Medical records of 203 healthy full-term infants were reviewed to determine the range of axillary temperatures for newborn infants, factors that affect temperature and nursery management of infants with temperatures outside published normal ranges. The mean birth temperature was 36.5 degrees C (S.D. = 0.6 degrees C). Temperature was associated with birth weight (p<0.0005) and the presence of maternal fever (p<0.0001) but not with type of environment or time of birth. The mean temperature increased with age, rising 0.2 degrees C by 2-3 hours after birth (p<0.0001) and 0.3 degrees C by 15-20 hours (p<0.0001). Among a subset of 114 eligible neonates the mean temperature dropped 0.2 degrees C after bathing (p<0.0001). Although 17% of all temperatures measured were in the hypothermic (< or =36.3 degrees C) range, the only response recorded by nursery staff consisted of warming by modifying the environment, e.g., bundling. Blood cultures were drawn from 51 infants (25%), 43 because of maternal intrapartum antibiotic treatment for maternal fever or prolonged duration of ruptured amniotic membranes (>24 hours) and none for evaluation of abnormal temperatures. No infants had systemic infections and all were discharged in stable condition. Newborn axillary temperatures in our nursery were considerably lower than what has been previously described as "normal." Given the frequency of "hypothermia" and absence of associated illness, we believe the reference range for newborn temperatures should be expanded to include lower temperatures.

Risk factors for early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis: estimation of odds ratios by critical literature review.

To identify and to establish the prevalence of ORs factors associated with increased risk for early-onset group B streptococcal (EOGBS) infection in neonates. streptococcal (EOGBS) infection in neonates. Literature review and reanalysis of published data. Risk factors for EOGBS infection include group B streptococcal (GBS)-positive vaginal culture at delivery (OR: 204), GBS-positive rectovaginal culture at 28 (OR: 9.64) or 36 weeks gestation (OR: 26. 7), vaginal Strep B OIA test positive at delivery (OR: 15.4), birth weight </= 2500 g (OR: 7.37), gestation <37 weeks (OR: 4.83), gestation <28 weeks (OR: 21.7), prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM) >18 hours (OR: 7.28), intrapartum fever >37.5 degrees C (OR: 4.05), intrapartum fever, PROM, or prematurity (OR: 9.74), intrapartum fever or PROM at term (OR: 11.5), chorioamnionitis (OR: 6.43). Chorioamnionitis is reported in most (88%) cases in which neonatal infection occurred despite intrapartum maternal antibiotic therapy. ORs could not be estimated for maternal GBS bacteriuria during pregnancy, with preterm premature rupture of membranes, or with a sibling or twin with invasive GBS disease, but these findings seem to be associated with a very high risk. Multiple gestation is not an independent risk factor for GBS infection. h Mothers with GBS bacteriuria during pregnancy, with another child with GBS disease, or with chorioamnionitis should receive empirical intrapartum antibiotic treatment. Their infants should have complete diagnostic evaluations and receive empirical treatment until infection is excluded by observation and negative cultures because of their particularly high risk for EOGBS infection. Either screening with cultures at 28 weeks gestation or identification of clinical risk factors, ie, PROM, intrapartum fever, or prematurity, may identify parturients whose infants include 65% of those with EOGBS infection. Intrapartum screening using the Strep B OIA rapid test identifies more at-risk infants (75%) than any other method. These risk identifiers may permit judicious selection of patients for prophylactic interventions.

Intrapartum antibiotics for group B streptococcal colonisation.

Group B streptococcal infection is common in pregnant women without causing harm. However it is also a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The objective of this review was to assess the effects of intrapartum administration of antibiotics to women on infant colonization with group B streptococcus, early onset neonatal group B streptococcus sepsis and neonatal death from infection. The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register was searched. Controlled trials of pregnant women colonized with group B streptococcus comparing intrapartum antibiotic administration with no treatment, and providing data on infant colonization with group B streptococcus and/or neonatal infection. Eligibility and trial quality assessment were done by one reviewer. Five trials were included. Overall quality was poor, with potential selection bias in all the identified studies. Intrapartum antibiotic treatment reduced the rate of infant colonization (odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.14) and early onset neonatal infection with group B streptococcus (odds ratio 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0. 39). A difference in neonatal mortality was not seen (odds ratio 0. 12, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 2.00). Intrapartum antibiotic treatment of women colonized with group B streptococcus appears to reduce neonatal infection. Effective strategies to detect maternal colonization with group B streptococcus and better data on maternal risk factors for neonatal group B streptococcus infection in different populations are required.

Management of 168 neonates weighing more than 2000 g receiving intrapartum chemoprophylaxis for chorioamnionitis. Evaluation of an early discharge strategy.

To determine whether sequential laboratory and clinical evaluations during the first 3 days of postnatal life can be used to safely limit the duration of antibiotic therapy for term neonates whose mothers received intrapartum antibiotic treatment for intra-amniotic infection (ie, chorioamnionitis). Since postpartum neonatal body fluid cultures can be falsely negative because of transplacental passage of maternal antibiotics, we prospectively followed up 6620 pregnancies for 28 months (December 1991 through March 1994) for the occurrence and treatment of chorioamnionitis. Neonatal antibiotic therapy was initiated and limited to 3 days or continued for 7 days or more in neonates with abnormal laboratory values or clinical signs that were consistent with sepsis on day 3 of postnatal age. Both groups were observed in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours after antibiotics were discontinued. Of the 6620 pregnancies, 158 infants (2.4%) born to 155 mothers received intrapartum antibiotics for chorioamnionitis; 10 additional neonates diagnosed as having chorioamnionitis were transported from other hospitals (N = 168). Because of the absence of signs and negative cultures, 82% (137/168) were treated with antibiotics for 3 days, while 18% (31/168) received 7 days or more of therapy. In 84% of the 3-day group, discharge was accomplished by postnatal day 4 or 5, whereas all of the 7-day or more group were discharged after day 8. Follow-up calls placed 1 month after discharge disclosed no adverse outcomes or hospital readmissions in any of the infants in this survey. Neonates with infection who are born to mothers pretreated with antibiotics for intra-amniotic infection can be reliably identified less than 72 hours after birth and treated appropriately. As 82% of at-risk patients are asymptomatic and have a negative body fluid culture, our data support the position that a full course of antibiotic therapy can be restricted to only those patients with clinical or laboratory signs of sepsis (18%). This will effective reduce the average length of hospital stay for intrapartum-treated neonates by a minimum of 3 to 4 days compared with a commonly used empiric therapy approach of continuing medication for 7 days or more. Perhaps hospital discharge can be further shortened if a 1- to 2-day posttreatment observation period is eliminated for all patients except those with a positive body fluid culture.