Group B Streptococcus colonization of the vagina can be transmitted to the newborn during birth. Neonatal infection may present as which onset pattern?

Group B Streptococcus colonization of the vagina can be transmitted to the newborn during birth. Neonatal infection may present as which onset pattern?

• A. Only at birth
• B. Only weeks after birth
• C. Early-onset at birth or delayed-onset weeks after birth
• D. Only after one month

Answer: (C)

Group B Streptococcus can be transmitted to the newborn during delivery, and neonatal disease can appear in two time frames: early-onset disease within the first days of life (often within 24 hours) and late-onset disease starting about a week after birth and continuing for several weeks. Because infection can present either at birth or weeks later, the pattern that includes both early onset at birth and delayed onset weeks after birth best describes neonatal GBS disease. The other options miss one of these possible windows of onset.

Group B Streptococcus can be transmitted to the newborn during delivery, and neonatal disease can appear in two time frames: early-onset disease within the first days of life (often within 24 hours) and late-onset disease starting about a week after birth and continuing for several weeks. Because infection can present either at birth or weeks later, the pattern that includes both early onset at birth and delayed onset weeks after birth best describes neonatal GBS disease. The other options miss one of these possible windows of onset.