Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) sepsis or septic shock in neonates

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), 2023

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) is a common cause of sepsis in neonates. If group B streptococcus has been identified, a lumbar puncture should be performed in neonates to exclude meningitis.

For term neonates (gestational age 37 weeks or older) with sepsis or septic shock who do not have meningitis (ie excluded by lumbar puncture), use:

benzylpenicillin 60 mg/kg intravenously, for 14 days benzylpenicillin

postnatal age 0 to 7 days: 12-hourly

postnatal age 8 days or older: 8-hourly.

For term neonates (gestational age 37 weeks or older) with sepsis or septic shock and meningitis, use:

benzylpenicillin 90 mg/kg intravenously, 8-hourly for at least 14 days; extend to 21 days for complicated infection. benzylpenicillin