Which treatment is considered the drug of choice for neonatal pneumonia caused by Group B streptococcus?

The drug of choice for neonatal pneumonia caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is ampicillin. This is primarily due to its efficacy against GBS and its established safety profile in neonates. Ampicillin has broad coverage that is particularly effective in treating infections caused by this bacterial organism, which is a common cause of pneumonia in newborns, especially those who are preterm or have low birth weight.

In cases of GBS pneumonia, early initiation of treatment is crucial to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. Ampicillin works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, effectively terminating the growth of the bacteria.

While other antibiotics like vancomycin and ceftriaxone have their own indications, they are typically used for different types of infections or when resistance is a concern. Amoxicillin is not typically used in the neonatal setting for severe infections like pneumonia because it is less effective against certain pathogens compared to ampicillin. Therefore, in the context of neonatal pneumonia specifically caused by Group B Streptococcus, ampicillin stands out as the recommended therapy.