By ULY CLINIC staff

 

Ophthalmia Neonatorum

​

Introduction

​

This is acute bacterial infection of the eyes that affect newborn baby during the first 28 days of life. Infection is caught by the infant at birth during passing the mother's birth canal. Common bacteria causes include sexually transmitted infections such as Neisseria gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis and Staphylococcus spp.

​

Diagnostic Criteria

 

• Purulent and copious discharge from the eyes.

• Massive oedema and redness of eyelids

Investigation

 

• Eye swab for gram stain, culture and sensitivity

​

Treatment

Non Pharmacological treatment

 

• Frequent and careful cleaning of eyes with normal saline (Saline irrigation) by using a clean cloth or gauze.

Pharmacological treatment

​

• Give Ceftriaxone 100mg/kg IM injection as a single dose if the cause is Neisseria gonorrhea

• Give Erythromycin PO 12.5mg/kg 6 hourly if the causative organism is 
  Chlamydia for 14 days.

• Give Chloramphenicol eye drops 2 hourly or

• Give Tobramycine eye drops hourly when the infection is severe, then 8 hourly for 14 days, or

• Give Tetracycline eye ointment hourly for 14 days.

​

Go back to main menu

Go back to previous session

Go to next session

​

Last updated on 23.08.2020

​

References

​

1. The colledge of optometrist. Ophthalmia Neonatorum . https://www.college-optometrists.org/guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/ophthalmia-neonatorum.html. August 23.02.2020

2. UCS children's hospital. Treatment and prevention of ophthamlic Neonatarum . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828094/.August 23.02.2020 

3. Tanzania standard treatment guideline edition 2017. page 57

4. Community eye health. https://www.flickr.com/photos/communityeyehealth/8422854263.August 23.2020

5. Neonatal conjuctivitis. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-conjunctivitis. August 23.2020