This presentation describe the condition of eye which is very common among neonates i.e. ophthalmia neonatorum which is otherwise also known as neonatal conjunctivitis. the major causes,diagnostic tests and manqgement is described here. Also ways to prevent it are explained.

1. OPHTHALMIA
NEONATORUM
Presented By:
Ms. Aakanksha Bajpai
Assistant Professor
Rama University

2. INTRODUCTION
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is also known as Neonatal
Conjunctivitis, it is a form of conjunctivitis contracted
in newborns during delivery. Baby’s eyes are
contaminated during passage through the birth canal
from a mother infected from either Neisseria Gonorrhea
or Chlamydia trachomatis.

3. DEFINITION
Ophthalmia Neonatorum is defined as conjunctivitis
which is the inflammation of the surface and conjunctiva.

4. INCIDENCE
 It affects 1- 12 % of infants in the western world.
 Upto 23% in developing countries.

5. ETIOLOGY
 The common causative agents are:
i. chlamydia trachomatis
ii. Neisseria gonorrhoea
iii. Herpes Simplex virus-type-II
 Chemical irritation

6. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
 Eye discharge- watery, mucopurulent in one or both eyes.
 Swollen eyelids
 Conjunctiva shows hyperaemia and chemosis
 Pain & tenderness in the eyeball

7. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
a) History taking
b) Eye examination
c) Eye discharge for gram staining, culture & sensitivity

8. MANAGEMENT

9. MANAGEMENT
N.gonorrhea
Treatment depends on the specific etiology:
 Infant is isolated during the first 24 hours of treatment.
 Eyes are irrigated with sterile isotonic saline every 1- 2
hours until clear.
 Bacitracin eye ointment four times per day.
 If cornea is involved then atropine sulphate ointment
should be applied.

10. MANAGEMENT
Systemic therapy:
Neonates should be treated for 7 days with one of the
following regimens.
 Ceftriaxone : 75- 100 mg/kg/day IV QID
 Cefotaxime: 100- 150 mg/kg/day IV 12 hourly
 Ciprofloxacin: 10-20 mg/kg/day IV

11. MANAGEMENT
Chlamydia
 Erythomycin suspension 40 mg/kg daily orally QID for
14 days
 Topical ointment alone is ineffective.

12. MANAGEMENT
Herpes simplex virus
 infant is isolated.
 Systemic therapy with acyclovir 20 mg/kg every 8
hours for 2 weeks is given IV
 Topical use of 0.1% iododeoxyuridine ointment 5
times a day for 10 days is used.

13. PROPHYLAXIS
 Clean the eyelids with sterile cotton & saline.
 Separate lids and apply 2 drops or a 1 to 2 cm ribbon of
ointment in each conjunctival sac.
 Massage lids gently to ensure spread of the medication.
 Wipe excess medication from eye with sterile cotton 1
minute after application.