Neonatal conjunctivitis

Alternative names:

conjunctivitis of the newborn; newborn conjunctivitis; ophthalmia neonatorum

Treatment:

Topical antibiotic eye drops and ointments, oral antibiotics, and IV antibiotics are all used depending on the severity of the infection and the organism. Occasionally topical and oral (or topical and IV) routes may be used simultaneously. Irrigation of the eye with normal saline (same amount of salt dissolved in the water as is in blood) is done to remove the purulent drainage that accumulates.

Expectations (prognosis):

Early recognition of infectious mothers and good hospital preventive practices have reduced conjunctivitis of the newborn to very low levels. Infant who do develop conjunctivitis and are quickly treated generally have good outcomes.

Complications:

• perforation of the cornea
• iritis (inflammation of the iris)
• corneal scarring
• blindness
• Chlamydial pneumonia

Calling your health care provider:

Talk to your health care provider if you have given birth (or expect to give birth) to a baby in a setting where antibiotic or silver nitrate drops are not routinely placed in the infant's eyes (for example, an unsupervised birth at home). This is especially important if you have had, or are at risk for, any sexually-transmitted disease.