Using this guideline

People have the right to be involved in discussions and make informed decisions about their care, as described in NICE's information about shared decision making. Parents and carers have the right to be involved in planning and making decisions about their baby's health and care, and to be given information and support to enable them to do this, as set out in the NHS Constitution and summarised in NICE's information about shared decision making.

Healthcare professionals should follow our general guidelines for people delivering care:

Making decisions using NICE guidelines explains how we use words to show the strength (or certainty) of our recommendations, and has information about prescribing medicines (including off-label use), professional guidelines, standards and laws (including on consent and mental capacity), and safeguarding.

Throughout this guideline, unless otherwise specified, the term neonatal infection covers both early-onset and late-onset infections.