Yeo KT, et al. - In this population-based cohort study in New South Wales, Australia, researchers assessed the association between group B streptococcus (GBS) infection during infancy and the risk of death and hospitalization until adolescence. Children with and those without GBS were compared for long-term outcomes. Findings revealed a decline in infection rates, from 2.1 to 0.7 per 1,000 live births over the study period. Those having GBS infection were born at lower gestation, were more likely very low birth weight, were born premature, had 5 minute Apgar scores ≤5, and had three times the adjusted odds of death or rehospitalizations. Deaths were reported in 36 (3.0%) GBS cases, with >50% of deaths occurring <28 days. More frequent hospitalization (median 2 vs 1), for longer duration (mean 3.7 vs 2.2 days), was noted in children with GBS. A higher risk for problems with genitourinary and nervous systems was also observed in these children.