Which organism is most commonly associated with meningitis in neonates?

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Multiple Choice

Which organism is most commonly associated with meningitis in neonates?

Neonatal meningitis is most closely linked to Group B Streptococcus because many newborns are exposed to this bacterium during delivery when the mother is colonized in the birth canal. Maternal GBS colonization is relatively common, and intrapartum transmission during birth is the primary route by which the infection reaches the neonate. This makes GBS the leading cause of meningitis in the first month of life, even though other organisms like E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes can also cause neonatal meningitis. In contrast, Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae are more typical culprits in older children and adults. Clinically, neonatal meningitis due to GBS presents with signs like fever, poor feeding, irritability, or lethargy, and CSF findings often show neutrophilic pleocytosis with low glucose and high protein. Hence, Group B Streptococcus is the organism most commonly associated with meningitis in neonates.

Neonatal meningitis is most closely linked to Group B Streptococcus because many newborns are exposed to this bacterium during delivery when the mother is colonized in the birth canal. Maternal GBS colonization is relatively common, and intrapartum transmission during birth is the primary route by which the infection reaches the neonate. This makes GBS the leading cause of meningitis in the first month of life, even though other organisms like E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes can also cause neonatal meningitis. In contrast, Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae are more typical culprits in older children and adults. Clinically, neonatal meningitis due to GBS presents with signs like fever, poor feeding, irritability, or lethargy, and CSF findings often show neutrophilic pleocytosis with low glucose and high protein. Hence, Group B Streptococcus is the organism most commonly associated with meningitis in neonates.

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