Incubation time required for neonatal blood cultures to become positive

Abstract

The incubation time for positive blood cultures significantly differs by organism type and whether they are considered early or late septicaemia versus contaminants. We recommend that: infants who are <48 h of age at the time of blood culture collection, who remain clinically well and have negative cultures 36 h after the initial collection can safely have their antibiotic treatment ceased; infants who are >or=48 h of age at the time of collection should continue antibiotic treatment for at least 48 h before cessation is considered.