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document
Routine antibiotic use in preterm neonates : a randomised controlled trial . The immature immune system of preterm neonates puts them at higher risk of neonatal sepsis . We conducted a part-blinded randomised controlled trial to compare the effect of routine antibiotic treatment on the incidence of clinical sepsis in preterm neonates . Preterm neonates without other risk factors for infection admitted in the first 12h of life were randomised to receive routine antibiotics or to a control group ( no antibiotics unless clinically indicated ) . The primary outcome variable was the incidence of clinical sepsis . Secondary outcomes were the incidence of positive blood cultures , necrotising enterocolitis ( NEC ) stage II or III , or death , and the duration of hospital stay . The incidence of clinical sepsis was comparable in both groups ( intervention 31.9 % , control 25.4 % ; P=0.392 ) . Mortality was equivalent in both groups . The control group had significantly more positive blood cultures ( P=0.002 ) . The incidence of NEC and the duration of hospital stay were comparable in both groups . In low risk preterm neonates we found no evidence that routine antibiotic use has a protective effect .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Routine antibiotic use
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Intervention_Pharmacological
routine antibiotic treatment
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Intervention_Pharmacological
routine antibiotics
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Intervention_Control
control group
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Intervention_Pharmacological
no antibiotics
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Intervention_Pharmacological
antibiotic
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
incidence of clinical sepsis
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
incidence of positive blood cultures
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Outcome_Mental
necrotising enterocolitis ( NEC ) stage II or III
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Outcome_Mortality
death
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Outcome_Other
the duration of hospital stay
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
incidence of clinical sepsis
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Outcome_Mortality
Mortality
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Outcome_Mental
blood cultures
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
incidence of NEC
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Outcome_Other
the duration of hospital stay
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Participant_Age
preterm neonates
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Participant_Condition
preterm
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Participant_Age
neonates
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Participant_Condition
Preterm
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Participant_Age
neonates
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Participant_Condition
risk factors for infection
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Participant_Age
first 12h of life