Streptococcus pneumoniae: An Old Bug with Significant Maternal-Newborn Implications

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon organism identified in neonatal bacteremia, but when it occurs, it has serious implications for both the infant and the mother. Despite the similarities in the manifestations between group B streptococcus and S. pneumoniae sepsis, the latter appears to be more virulent and of marked severity, resulting in significant neonatal mortality. In the absence of a routine maternal screening protocol for S. pneumoniae colonization, aggressive newborn management constitutes the mainstay of treatment.