If the blood culture grows, standard of care is IV therapy for 10 days. If
the spinal fluid grows, some would treat for 14 days.  I don't think the
baby necessarily had to be NPO, but extreme caution is good (I mean about
treating with antibiotics, not the NPO thing) because these babies die.
Now, if the cultures don't grow, the baby can come off antibiotics in 3
days, and then I guess they'll feed her depending on how SHE acts.
Personally, I would put an IV in her and give her just enough fluid to get
her to pee, and let her nurse as much as she wants to, plus give her the
antibiotics until the culture was sterile.


Terry Lynn Dise, MD
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