Conjunctivitis Of Newborn
June 1, 2009
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is an infection detected in the eyes of the newborn babies. The symptoms occur with in the first month of life of the neonate. The condition is also termed as conjunctivitis of newborn. It may or may not be contagious.
Causes Of Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Newborn babies acquire the infection during delivery while passing through the birth canal of the mother. There are a number of causative agents behind this infection like neisseria gonorrhoeae, chlamydia trachomatis, some bacterias like staphylococci, streptococci, viruses like herpes simplex and chemical irritantants. Neisseria gonorrhoea and chlamydia trachomatis are the commonest causes.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms vary according to the causative agent.
Chlamydial infection
It occurs within 5-12 days after birth. There is unilateral (or bilateral) discharge from the eyes. This discharge may become copious and purulent later on.
Gonorrhoeal infection
This infection gets detected within 3-5 days after the birth but may occur later on also. Symptoms include acute conjunctivitis, redness of eyes, purulent discharge, oedema of lids and corneal ulceration.
Bacterial infection
Incubation period of this infection is longer. Clinical presentation is a mix of red eye with lid oedema. Discharge may also be present (variable amount).
Pseudomonas infection
It is a rarely occurring infection but is life threatening.
Chemical irritants
Mild irritation, tenderness and redness are present in this variety of infection. Treatment is mostly not required in this type.
Viral infection
It occurs within 2 weeks after the birth. Clinically, there is serous discharge, which can be unilateral or bilateral.
Diagnosis
Ocular examination and microbiological investigations are done. Conjunctival swabs are taken and cultured to diagnose the type of infection (chlamydial or gonorrheal). Cervical swab of mother is also investigated to trace the presence of any sexually transmitted disease.
Treatment
Treatment includes prescribing antibiotics against bacteria’s and other medications may include erythromycin or penicillin.
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