Neonatal infection: antibiotics for prevention and treatment

The following documents contain the evidence that was used to develop the 2026 recommendations:

• Timing of prelabour rupture of membranes to birth and risk of early-onset neonatal infection
• Technical appendices for timing of prelabour rupture of membranes to birth and risk of early-onset neonatal infection
• Switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics for suspected early-onset neonatal bacterial infection
• Technical appendices for switching from intravenous to oral antibiotics for suspected early-onset neonatal bacterial infection

The following documents contain the evidence that was used to develop the 2024 recommendations:

• Information for confirmed bacterial meningitis
• Support for confirmed bacterial meningitis
• Investigating and diagnosing suspected bacterial meningitis with cerebrospinal fluid parameters
• Fluid restriction in bacterial meningitis
• Factors associated with recurrent bacterial meningitis
• Long-term complications and follow-up for bacterial meningitis
• Information for confirmed bacterial meningitis
• Support for confirmed bacterial meningitis

The following documents contain the evidence that was used to develop the 2021 recommendations:

• Information and support for parents and carers of babies with late-onset neonatal infection
• Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for reducing early-onset neonatal infection
• Timing of delivery to reduce the risk of early-onset neonatal infection
• Maternal and neonatal risk factors for early-onset neonatal infection
• Maternal and neonatal risk factors for late-onset neonatal infection
• Antibiotic-impregnated catheters for reducing late-onset neonatal infection
• Investigations before starting treatment for late-onset neonatal infection
• Antibiotics for treating late-onset neonatal infection
• Antifungal prophylaxis for treating late-onset neonatal infection

Other supporting evidence:

• Full guideline 2012
• Methods 2021 update