Bibliographic Info
GuidelineRecommendations for management of common childhood conditions : evidence for technical update of pocket book recommendations : newborn conditions, dysentery, pneumonia, oxygen use and delivery, common causes of fever, severe acute malnutrition and supportive care
Year of Publication2012
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
A neonate with risk factors for infection (i.e. membranes ruptured > 18 hours before delivery, mother had fever > 38 °C before delivery or during labour, or amniotic fluid was foul smelling or purulent) should be treated with the prophylactic antibiotics ampicillin (IM or intravenously, IV) and gentamicin for at least 2 days. After 2 days, the neonate should be reassessed and treatment continued only if there are signs of sepsis (or a positive blood culture).