Epilepsy risk is elevated in those infected with invasive Group B Streptococcus (iGBS) meningitis, but not sepsis, in early infancy, according to a cohort study in Denmark. The study found a cumulative epilepsy risk of 3.6% for the first 22 years of life in infants with either iGBS meningitis or sepsis compared to a control group’s 2.3% rate. The vast majority of the increased risk, however, occurred solely in the first five years of life. Notable subgroups with higher risk included boys, preterm infants and children born to mothers with lower incomes.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects over 3 million Americans, and children under the age of five are one of the most vulnerable groups. Group B streptococcal (GBS) infections are a common cause of serious bacterial infections in newborns, including meningitis and sepsis. Recently, a new study revealed that children who contract GBS meningitis … Read more
