Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Early Infant Invasive Group B Streptococcal Infection in Uganda - Report - MDSpire

Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Early Infant Invasive Group B Streptococcal Infection in Uganda

  • By

  • Samantha Sadoo

  • Carol Nanyunja

  • Mary Kyohere

  • Hannah G Davies

  • Valerie Tusubira

  • Cleophas Komugisha

  • Joseph Peacock

  • Margaret Sewegaba

  • Philippa Musoke

  • Musa Sekikubo

  • Kirsty Le Doare

  • Cally J Tann

  • PROGRESS Study Author Group

  • Abdelmajid Djennad

  • Agnes Nyamaizi

  • Agnes Ssali

  • Alexander Amone

  • Amusa Wamawobe

  • Annettee Nakimuli

  • Caitlin Farley

  • Carol Nanyunja

  • Christine Najuka

  • Cleophas Komugisha

  • Dan R Shelley

  • Edward A R Portal

  • Ellie Duckworth

  • Emilie Karafillakis

  • Geraldine O’Hara

  • Godfrey Matovu

  • Hannah G Davies

  • Janet Seeley

  • Joseph Peacock

  • Juliet Nsimire Sendagala

  • Katie Cowie

  • Kirsty Le Doare

  • Konstantinos Karampatsas

  • Lauren Hookham

  • Madeleine Cochet

  • Margaret Sewegaba

  • Mary Kyohere

  • Maxensia Owor

  • Melanie Etti

  • Merryn Voysey

  • Moses Musooko

  • Musa Sekikubo

  • Owen B Spiller

  • Patience Atuhaire

  • Paul T Heath

  • Philippa Musoke

  • Phiona Nalubega

  • Pooja Ravji

  • Richard Katungye

  • Ritah Namugumya

  • Rosalin Parks

  • Rose Azuba

  • Sam Kipyeko

  • Simon Beach

  • Stephen Bentley

  • Tim Old

  • Tobius Mutabazi

  • Valerie Tusubira

  • Vicki Chalker

  • March 10, 2025

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Neurodevelopmental and Growth Outcomes at Two Years After Infant GBS Sepsis in Uganda

Overview

This study assessed neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes at 24 months in Ugandan infants who survived invasive Group B Streptococcal (GBS) sepsis. Survivors exhibited significantly lower cognitive and language scores, higher rates of moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment, and increased undernutrition compared to matched controls without GBS sepsis.

Background

Group B Streptococcus is a leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in infants under 3 months, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda. While mortality from GBS sepsis has been studied, data on long-term neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in survivors remain limited. Neurodevelopmental impairments following sepsis include cerebral palsy and global developmental delay, which have profound impacts on affected children and their families. This study addresses the gap by evaluating outcomes at two years in a Sub-Saharan African cohort.

Data Highlights

OutcomeGBS Sepsis Survivors (n=16)Comparison Cohort (n=59)
Median Cognitive Score Difference-5 (IQR -10 to 0)Reference
Median Language Score Difference-8 (IQR -15 to -2)Reference
Moderate to Severe Neurodevelopmental Impairment31% (5/16)8.5% (5/59)
Undernutrition Prevalence25%10%
Cerebral Palsy Cases3 (bilateral spasticity)0

Key Findings

  • Survivors of infant GBS sepsis had significantly lower median cognitive and language scores at 24 months compared to controls.
  • 31% of GBS sepsis survivors experienced moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment versus 8.5% in the comparison group.
  • Cerebral palsy with bilateral spasticity was diagnosed in 3 GBS survivors; 2 others had global developmental delay without cerebral palsy.
  • GBS sepsis survivors had a higher prevalence of undernutrition (25%) compared to controls (10%), mainly driven by those with cerebral palsy.
  • Long-term neurodevelopmental and growth monitoring is essential for GBS sepsis survivors in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should recognize that infants surviving GBS sepsis are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairments and growth deficits, including cerebral palsy and undernutrition. Early identification and referral to developmental support services are critical to optimize outcomes. Integration of long-term follow-up programs for GBS survivors in LMIC settings is recommended to address these needs.

Conclusion

In this Ugandan cohort, invasive GBS sepsis during infancy was associated with significant neurodevelopmental and growth impairments at two years. These findings underscore the importance of surveillance and early intervention for survivors to improve long-term health and developmental trajectories.

References

  1. PROGRESS Study Supplement -- Neurodevelopmental and Growth Outcomes at Two Years in Ugandan Infants Following Invasive Group B Streptococcal Sepsis

Original Source(s)

Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes After Early Infant Invasive Group B Streptococcal Infection in Uganda

  • by Samantha Sadoo, Carol Nanyunja, Mary Kyohere, Hannah G Davies, Valerie Tusubira, Cleophas Komugisha, Joseph Peacock, Margaret Sewegaba, Philippa Musoke, Musa Sekikubo, Kirsty Le Doare, Cally J Tann, PROGRESS Study Author Group, Abdelmajid Djennad, Agnes Nyamaizi, Agnes Ssali, Alexander Amone, Amusa Wamawobe, Annettee Nakimuli, Caitlin Farley, Carol Nanyunja, Christine Najuka, Cleophas Komugisha, Dan R Shelley, Edward A R Portal, Ellie Duckworth, Emilie Karafillakis, Geraldine O’Hara, Godfrey Matovu, Hannah G Davies, Janet Seeley, Joseph Peacock, Juliet Nsimire Sendagala, Katie Cowie, Kirsty Le Doare, Konstantinos Karampatsas, Lauren Hookham, Madeleine Cochet, Margaret Sewegaba, Mary Kyohere, Maxensia Owor, Melanie Etti, Merryn Voysey, Moses Musooko, Musa Sekikubo, Owen B Spiller, Patience Atuhaire, Paul T Heath, Philippa Musoke, Phiona Nalubega, Pooja Ravji, Richard Katungye, Ritah Namugumya, Rosalin Parks, Rose Azuba, Sam Kipyeko, Simon Beach, Stephen Bentley, Tim Old, Tobius Mutabazi, Valerie Tusubira, Vicki Chalker

  • March 10, 2025

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