Recommendations for research
The guideline committee has made the following recommendations for research.
Key recommendations for research
1 Switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics for suspected early-onset neonatal infection
For babies on intravenous antibiotics for suspected early-onset neonatal infection, when healthcare professionals intend to continue antibiotic treatment, what is the clinical and cost effectiveness, and safety implications, of switching to oral antibiotics compared with continuing with intravenous antibiotics? [2026]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on switching treatment to oral antibiotics for babies with early-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review R: switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics for suspected early-onset neonatal infection.
2 Clinical prediction models for early-onset infection
What is the accuracy of clinical prediction models for early-onset neonatal infection in the UK and what is their effectiveness in guiding management in the baby? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section for assessing and managing the risk of early-onset neonatal infection after birth.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review D: maternal and neonatal risk factors for early-onset neonatal infection.
3 Investigations for babies who may have early-onset infection
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of laboratory investigations used individually or in combination to exclude early-onset neonatal infection in babies receiving antibiotics for suspected infection? [2012]
4 Clinical prediction models for late-onset neonatal infection
What is the accuracy of new or existing clinical prediction models for late-onset neonatal infection in the UK and what is their effectiveness in guiding management:
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for babies already on a neonatal unit?
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for babies admitted from home? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on assessing or reviewing babies for late-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E: maternal and neonatal risk factors for late onset neonatal infection.
5 Antibiotics for suspected late-onset neonatal infection
What is the optimal antibiotic treatment regimen for suspected late-onset neonatal infection? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on choice of antibiotics for late-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review H: antibiotics for treating late-onset neonatal infection.
Other recommendations for research
6 Impact of neonatal infection on the baby's family
What is the impact of neonatal infection on the health-related quality of life of the baby's family? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on when to offer immediate birth to prevent early-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: timing of delivery to reduce the risk of early-onset neonatal infection.
7 Information and support
How does each step in the care pathway for prevention and treatment of early-onset neonatal infection impact on babies and their families? [2012]
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of information and support offered to parents and carers of babies who have received antibiotics for suspected or proven early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
8 Maternal obesity and risk of early-onset neonatal infection
What is the risk of early-onset neonatal infection with maternal obesity and how does this change with increasing body mass index? [2021]
9 Intrapartum antibiotics
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotics for women, trans men and non-binary people with meconium-stained amniotic fluid? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale section on when to offer antibiotics during labour to prevent early-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review B: intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for reducing early-onset neonatal infection.
10 Antibiotics for suspected early-onset infection
What is the incidence in England and Wales of resistance to commonly used antibiotics among bacteria that cause early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
What is the optimal antibiotic dosage regimen for the treatment of early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
What is the optimal duration of treatment (course length) in babies who receive antibiotics for confirmed early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
What is the incidence and severity of adverse effects with antibiotics used to prevent or treat early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
What are the core exposures and outcomes that should be used to evaluate clinical effectiveness of antibiotics to prevent or treat early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
11 Intravascular catheters for reducing the risk of late-onset neonatal infection
What is the effectiveness of antimicrobial-impregnated catheters other than those impregnated with rifampicin and miconazole for preventing late-onset catheter-related bloodstream infections in newborn babies? [2021]
What is the effectiveness of catheters impregnated with silver zeolite for preventing late-onset catheter-related bloodstream infections in newborn babies? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made these recommendations for research, see the rationale section on antimicrobial-impregnated catheters for reducing risk of late-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review F: antibiotic-impregnated catheters for reducing late-onset neonatal infection.
12 Antifungals to prevent fungal infection during antibiotic treatment for late-onset neonatal infection
What is the optimal regimen (including treatment duration and dose) for using antifungals to prevent secondary fungal infection associated with antibiotic treatment for late-onset neonatal infection? [2021]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research, see the rationale section on antifungals to prevent fungal infection during antibiotic treatment for late-onset neonatal infection.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: antifungal prophylaxis for treating late-onset neonatal infection.
13 Early and late-onset meningitis
What is the optimal antibiotic treatment regimen for early-onset neonatal meningitis? [2012]
14 Care setting
What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of different models of care for the prevention and treatment of early-onset neonatal infection? [2012]
15 Long-term outcomes of bacterial meningitis
What are the long-term outcomes after bacterial meningitis in infancy? [2024]
For a short explanation of why the committee made this recommendation for research and how it might affect practice, see the rationale section on preparing for discharge for babies who have had bacterial meningitis.
Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review O: long-term complications and follow-up for bacterial meningitis.