Neonatal infection (early onset): antibiotics for prevention and treatment

Recommendation ID: CG149/1
Question: Screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for group B streptococcal colonisation:- What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis targeting group B streptococcus and guided by routine antenatal screening?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important:- Antenatal care (NICE clinical guideline 62) considers the clinical and cost effectiveness of routine antenatal screening for group B streptococcus separately from the clinical and cost effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis once group B streptococcus has been identified. This guideline considers the clinical and cost effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis separately from the clinical and cost effectiveness of routine antenatal screening to identify women colonised with group B streptococcus.
Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of routine antenatal screening for group B streptococcus combined with intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in women identified as carriers. The research could take the form of health economic modelling based on published studies or new studies (for example, randomised controlled trials or observational studies) comparing outcomes from different screening and treatment strategies. The research should also consider the gestational age at which screening should occur.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance: Neonatal infection (early onset): antibiotics for prevention and treatment
Number: CG149
Date issued: August 2012

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	03/09/2012