DefinitionGroup B streptococcal septicemia is a severe bacterial infection that affects newborn infants.See also: Neonatal sepsisAlternative NamesGroup B strep; GBSCauses, incidence, and risk factorsThe term "septicemia" refers to an infection in the bloodstream that may travel to different body organs. Group B streptococcal septicemia is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae, which is commonly called "group B strep" or GBS. A newborn with septicemia is very sick.GBS is commonly found in adults and older children, where it does not usually cause infection. There are two ways in which it may be passed to a newborn baby:The infant can become infected as he or she passes through the birth canal. In this case, babies become ill between birth and 6 days of life (most often in the fir