Step I Another Path question

[DRealDrZ]

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In the first edition of BRS Path I read that the most common cause of Meningitis in the newborn is E. Coli. Now in FA it says Group B Strep. Because the mother is tested and treated for Group B before birth that the real number one cause IS E. Coli? I guess I'm wondering when they ask on Step I do I put E. coli or GB Strep?

 

[Mossjoh]

I doubt they would give you both of those as foils. They both are major causes of neonatal meningitis.

 

[rxfudd]

Agreed - they'll have to give you something more, like culturing gram neg rods or a positive CAMP test.

 

[AlexRusso]

Yep I doubt both of those would be answer choices unless there was something in the question stem to make you pick one and not the other. Like "gram positive vs. gram neg" or "Bacitracin resistant"

 

[fernj1975]

I think for the step, the #1 cause of neonatal meningitis soon after birth is Group B Strep but after a couple of weeks it would be E.coli. Thats my 2 cents.

 

[bigfrank]

If you have to make a choice between the 2, always go with GBS.

GBS > E. coli >>> Listeria

 

[Idiopathic]

If the baby is born with meningitis, it is GBS, usually from premature rupture of the membranes. But they test moms for GBS antibodies nowadays, so it isnt really a surprise. If they get meningitis after 2-3 weeks delivery, it is likely e. coli.

 

[DRealDrZ]

I figured that there would be other info (i.e. Gr neg) to help with the question. I was just wondering if it were to be just straight up asked what to put. I figured GBS directly after birth. Thanks for the posts.