Aetiology

Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON) (conjunctivitis of the newborn) occurs within the

first month of life. It is a bacterial, chlamydial or viral infection acquired during
passage through an infected birth canal.

Historically, the commonest agent was Neisseria gonorrhoeae (also known as

‘gonococcus’, and a cause of sexually-transmitted disease). The use of silver
nitrate drops as prophylaxis was introduced in the 19th century, although
abandoned in the UK in the 1950s. Gonococcal ON develops in approx. 30-50% of
newborns exposed to gonococcal infection during delivery

Nowadays a more usual agent, also sexually acquired by the mother, is Chlamydia
trachomatis. Babies born to women with untreated chlamydial infection at delivery
have a 30-50% chance of developing ON

The incubation period is usually as follows:

 C. trachomatis: 5-14 days

 N. gonorrhoeae: 3-5 days
The prevalence of ON differs in different parts of the world and is dependent
mainly upon socio-economic conditions, level of knowledge about general health,
standard of maternal healthcare as well as the type of prophylactic programme
used. In the UK, the incidence in 2003 was:

 C. trachomatis: 6.9 per 100,000 live births

 N. gonorrhoeae: 3.7 per 100,000 live births
In low income countries, very much higher incidences have been reported

Other bacteria that cause ON include Haemophilus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus

and Pseudomonas species

Viral infections (less common) can be caused by herpes simplex virus, adenovirus
or enterovirus

The neonatal conjunctiva is particularly vulnerable to infection because of the lack

of immunity and the absence of local lymphoid tissue at birth
 Predisposing factors

Infection of the maternal birth canal as the result of sexually-transmitted disease

This infection may be asymptomatic, especially in the case of C. trachomatis

Symptoms

Symptoms (usually described by mother):

 redness
 discharge (may be profuse in gonococcal infection)
 swelling of lids (may be severe)
 symptoms usually bilateral
Signs

Lids

 oedema (may impede examination of ocular surfaces)

Conjunctival features

 mucopurulent conjunctivitis – discharge may be profuse in C.

trachomatis infection. Danger of infection of clinician when prising open lids
 NB: in neonatal C. trachomatis infection there are no follicles as in adults, because
of the neonate’s lack of lymphoid tissue
 conjunctival oedema (‘chemosis’)
 conjunctival membrane in severe cases
Corneal features

 cornea can be involved, especially in N. gonorrhoeae infection.

 this organism can pass through intact corneal epithelium.
 perforation may result
 signs usually bilateral; may be asymmetrical
Differential diagnosis
 By definition, conjunctivitis occurring within the first 30 days of life is ON
 Congenital obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct(s) is often associated with
epiphora, discharge and recurrent conjunctivitis

 Management by optometrist

Practitioners should recognise their limitations and where necessary seek

further advice or refer the patient elsewhere

GRADE Level of evidence and strength of recommendation always relates to

the statement(s) immediately above

Non pharmacological
None

Pharmacological
None

Management category

A1: emergency (same day) referral to ophthalmologist; no intervention ON

may result in a severe and progressive conjunctivitis with corneal
complications and be associated with potentially serious systemic infection

Possible management by ophthalmologist

Diagnosis

 conjunctival cultures for bacteria (N. gonorrhoeae requires special media)

 conjunctival scraping for Gram stain (bacteria) and Giemsa stain (for C.
trachomatis)
 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies
Treatment
 Bacterial conjunctivitis

 systemic penicillin G or a cephalosporin for N. gonorrhoeae

 topical erythromycin sometimes given in addition
 other topical antibiotics, including azithromycin or chloramphenicol
 frequent irrigation until discharge ceases
Chlamydial conjunctivitis

 systemic erythromycin
 topical azithromycin
Herpetic conjunctivitis

 systemic and topical antiviral, e.g. aciclovir

Evidence base

Darling EK, McDonald H A meta-analysis of the efficacy of ocular prophylactic

agents used for the prevention of gonococcal and chlamydial ophthalmia
neonatorum J Midwifery Womens Health 2010;55:319-27

Matejcek A, Goldman RD Treatment and prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum.

Can Fam Physician. 2013;59(11):1187-90

McAnena L, Knowles SJ2, Curry A, Cassidy L. Prevalence of gonococcal

conjunctivitis in adults and neonates. Eye (Lond). 2015;29(7):875-80

Moore DL, MacDonald NE; Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and
Immunization Committee. Preventing ophthalmia neonatorum. Can J Infect Dis
Med Microbiol. 2015;26(3):122-5

Lay Summary

The definition of Ophthalmia Neonatorum (conjunctivitis of the newborn) is an eye

infection that occurs within the first 30 days of life. It is caught during birth by
contact with the mother’s birth canal that is infected with a sexually-transmitted
disease. The infection may be bacterial, chlamydial or viral. Historically,
gonorrhoea was the usual cause, but chlamydial infection is now more common.
 Globally, the prevalence of this infection varies widely according to prevailing
socio-economic conditions, health education and maternal healthcare.

The baby’s eyes are red, the eyelids and the whites of the eyes are swollen and
there is watering or a discharge. Usually both eyes are affected, but one may be
worse than the other. One of the dangers of gonorrhoeal infection is that it may
affect the cornea also. Early diagnosis is important and for this reason, the
optometrist is advised to refer all cases immediately to the on-call ophthalmologist.
Swabs will be taken for culture and treatment started without delay, using
antibiotics given by mouth or by injection or into a vein, and in eye drop form.

Opthalmia
neonatorum
Version 10
Date of search 12.04.18
Date of revision 19.04.18
Date of publication 16.10.18
Date for review 11.04.20

References

Ophthalmia neonatorum - College of Optometrists

https://www.college-optometrists.org/guidance/clinical.../ophthalmia-neonatorum.html

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Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON) (conjunctivitis of the newborn) occurs within the first
month of life. It is a bacterial, chlamydial or viral infection acquired durin