Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:45 causes of Ophthalmia Neonatorum
2:12 prevention of Ophthalmia Neonatorum
2:59 symptoms of Ophthalmia Neonatorum
3:20 treatment of Ophthalmia Neonatorum





Neonatal conjunctivitis is a form of conjunctivitis (inflammation of the outer eye) which affects newborn babies following birth. It is typically due to neonatal bacterial infection, although can also be non-infectious (e.g. chemical exposure).[1] Infectious neonatal conjunctivitis is typically contracted during vaginal delivery from exposure to bacteria from the birth canal, most commonly Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis.[2]

Antibiotic ointment is typically applied to the newborn's eyes within 1 hour of birth as prevention for gonococcal ophthalmia.[3] This practice is recommended for all newborns and most hospitals in the United States are required by state law to apply eye drops or ointment soon after birth to prevent the disease.[4][5]


If left untreated, neonatal conjunctivitis can cause blindness.
Neonatal conjunctivitis by definition presents during the first month of life. Signs and symptoms include:[citation needed]

Pain and tenderness in the eyeball
Conjunctival discharge: purulent, mucoid or mucopurulent (depending on the cause)
Conjunctival hyperaemia and chemosis, usually also with swelling of the eyelids
Corneal involvement (rare) may occur in herpes simplex ophthalmia neonatorum