Ophthalmia neonatorum is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be contracted by newborns while passing through their mother’s vaginal canal. The other common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis is Chlamydia trachomatis.
Ophthalmia neonatorum is prevented in newborns in the US by applying silver nitrate and antibiotic ointment as prophylaxis at birth. Ophthalmia neonatorum usually presents at 2 to 7 days of life with intense bilateral bulbar conjunctival erythema, chemosis, and a copious purulent discharge. The diagnosis is made by Gram stain, revealing gram-negative diplococci, and culture using chocolate agar. All infants with gonococcal conjunctivitis require admission and evaluation for disseminated disease. Testing of blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and any other sites with suspected infection is recommended.
Photo courtesy of: Medical Microbiology and Immunology Explanation courtesy of: Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine
Ophthalmia neonatorum is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be contracted by newborns while passing through their mother’s vaginal canal. The other common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis is Chlamydia trachomatis.
ReplyDeleteOphthalmia neonatorum is prevented in newborns in the US by applying silver nitrate and antibiotic ointment as prophylaxis at birth. Ophthalmia neonatorum usually presents at 2 to 7 days of life with intense bilateral bulbar conjunctival erythema, chemosis, and a copious purulent discharge. The diagnosis is made by Gram stain, revealing gram-negative diplococci, and culture using chocolate agar. All infants with gonococcal conjunctivitis require admission and evaluation for disseminated disease. Testing of blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and any other sites with suspected infection is recommended.
Photo courtesy of: Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Explanation courtesy of: Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine