Neonatal conjunctivitis

Alternative names:

conjunctivitis of the newborn; newborn conjunctivitis; ophthalmia neonatorum

Prevention:

Treatment of the pregnant mother for sexually-transmitted diseases will prevent conjunctivitis in the neonate. If the mother's infection has not been recognized, keep in mind that prophylactic eye drops put in the infant's eyes immediately after birth prevents infection, and these drops are used routinely for all births. Antibiotics, given intravenously, may be given to infants delivered of mothers with untreated gonorrhea. Antibiotic eye drops may not prevent Chlamydial conjunctivitis.