Ongoing management of early-onset CAP (occurring within 72 hours of birth) in term neonates

If the patient has improved on the initial empirical therapy for sepsis or septic shock, and meningitis and encephalitis are excluded, the antibiotic regimens below can be used for early-onset community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) (occurring within 72 hours of birth) in term neonates (gestational age 37 weeks or older). Seek expert advice for management of preterm neonates, neonates who are not improving, or neonates with complications of pneumonia such as parapneumonic effusion, empyema or lung abscess.

If available, modify treatment based on the results of investigations, including susceptibility testing – see Directed therapy for pneumonia.

For ongoing empirical antibiotic therapy for early-onset CAP (occurring within 72 hours of birth) in term neonates (gestational age 37 weeks or older), use:

Review the response to empirical therapy and consider a shorter duration of therapy if the term neonate rapidly improves and the results of investigations indicate a viral aetiologyMahajan, 2018.