Universal maternal screening for neonatal group B streptococcal disease

Group B streptococcal infection is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity an d mortality in the developed world. Data obtained in our region suggest tha t the incidence in the UK may be higher than previously reported, and toget her with the results of a pilot study indicate that preventive strategies b ased on maternal risk factors alone would prevent less than half the cases of neonatal disease.