Group B Streptococcus increases psychiatric disorder risk

A recent study found that invasive group B Streptococcus (iGBS) disease in infants raises the risk of developing mental disorders during childhood and adolescence. Infants with meningitis from iGBS have a higher chance of these disorders compared to those with sepsis. The study analyzed data from 1,548 infants diagnosed with iGBS between 1997 and 2020. Among these, 87.7% had sepsis and 12.3% had meningitis. Researchers followed these infants until 2022 and compared them to 15,345 control individuals. They focused on various psychiatric disorders that could develop during adolescence and early adulthood. Results showed that infants with iGBS had a 41% higher likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders than those without the infection. This risk was even higher in the first ten years of life. The cumulative incidence of psychiatric disorders was 21.1% among iGBS infants, compared to 16.2% in the control group. Meningitis patients had a particularly high rate of 30.1%. Certain factors, such as maternal gestational diabetes, premature birth, and low maternal education, increased the risk of mental disorders. Specific conditions, such as intellectual disabilities and stress-related disorders, were also more common in infants with iGBS. The researchers emphasize the importance of preventing iGBS during pregnancy. They believe that effective prevention could reduce not only the immediate health risks but also the long-term mental health challenges linked to this infection. However, the study has limitations. There may be inaccuracies in diagnosing sepsis and meningitis, and control individuals might have had other infections. Diagnosing mental disorders in children can be complex, possibly leading to misdiagnosis. No specific funding was provided for the study, and the authors reported no conflicts of interest.