Neonatal conjunctivitis is watery or purulent ocular drainage due to a chemical irritant or a pathogenic organism. Prevention with antigonococcal topical treatment at birth is routine. Diagnosis is clinical and usually confirmed by laboratory testing. Treatment is with organism-specific antimicrobials.
[See also Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis Acute conjunctivitis can be caused by numerous bacteria. Symptoms are hyperemia, lacrimation, irritation, and discharge. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is with topical antibiotics, augmented... read more
Etiology of Neonatal Conjunctivitis
The major causes of neonatal conjunctivitis [in decreasing order] are
Bacterial infection
Chemical inflammation
Viral infection [ see also Overview of Conjunctivitis Overview of Conjunctivitis Conjunctival inflammation typically results from infection, allergy, or irritation. Symptoms are conjunctival hyperemia and ocular discharge and, depending on the etiology, discomfort and itching... read more ]
Infection is acquired from infected mothers during passage through the birth canal. Chlamydial ophthalmia [caused by Chlamydia trachomatis Chlamydial, Mycoplasmal, and Ureaplasmal Mucosal Infections Sexually transmitted urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, and pharyngitis not due to gonorrhea are caused predominantly by chlamydiae and infrequently by mycoplasmas or Ureaplasma sp. Chlamydiae... read more