Neonatal septicemia and meningitis in Gottingen, West Germany

Data were analyzed from 181 infants treated for neonatal septicemia and/or meningitis between 1962 and 1974 (n = 88) and between 1975 and 1982 (n = 93). In addition to an increase in the incidence of septicemia (1962 to 1974, 0.88 case/1000 live births (LB)/year; 1975 to 1982, 2.0 cases/1000 LB/year), there was also a change in the pattern of infection. Group B streptococcal infections were first observed in 1975. Infections with Escherichia coli increased (1962 to 1974, 0.25 case/1000 LB; 1975 to 1982, 0.75 case/1000 LB), while those with Pseudomonas aeruginosa decreased (1962 to 1974, 0.15 case/1000 LB; 1975 to 1982, 0.1 case/1000 LB). Although the incidence of meningitis was similar in both time periods (0.5 case/1000 LB), the relative number of cases declined (1962 to 1974, 51 of 88 patients; 1975 to 1982, 23 of 93 patients). Case fatality also decreased during the second time period (1962 to 1974, 53%; 1975 to 1982, 29%). The most common predisposing factors for septicemia were prolonged rupture of membranes (21 of 93 cases) and prematurity (41 of 93). Blood analysis showed that the immature/total neutrophil ratio was more consistently abnormal (60% of the cases) than were total counts of white blood cells, neutrophils or immature neutrophils.