Appropriate use of antibiotics in the NICU

Antibiotics are a very important group of drugs for the sick neonate and have undoubtedly played a role in their improved survival. But they come with a set of risks which must be carefully considered and weighed against the benefits in any decision to commence antibiotics. For the neonatologist this is not an easy task. This article intends to discuss the potential risks of antibiotics to the sick newborn in the hope that it will aid clinicians to better balance the benefits and harms and use antibiotics in a rational way.