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Published on: March 1, 2024
Delivery-based criteria for empiric antibiotic administration among preterm infants
Samuel J Garber1,2, Miren B Dhudasia1,3, Dustin D Flannery1,2,3
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objective:
Determine impact of using delivery criteria to initiate antibiotics among very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN: Single site cohort study from 01/01/2009 to 01/31/2020. After 04/2017, infants delivered by Cesarean section, without labor or membrane rupture were categorized as low-risk for early-onset infection and managed without empiric antibiotics. We determined effect of this guideline by pre-post, and interrupted time-series analyses.
Results:
After 04/2017, antibiotic initiation ≤3 days decreased among low-risk VLBW (62% vs. 13%, p < 0.001) and low-risk ELBW (88% vs. 21%, p < 0.001) infants. In time series analysis, guideline was associated with decreased initiation among low-risk ELBW infants. In contrast, low-risk VLBW infants demonstrated decreased antibiotic initiation throughout study period. Incidence of confirmed infection, death, or transfer ≤7 days age was unchanged.
Conclusion:
Delivery criteria may be used to optimize early antibiotic initiation among preterm infants without short-term increase in adverse outcomes.
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