Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the membranes that line the eyelid or the eye. When the condition occurs in babies younger than 4 weeks old, it is called neonatal conjunctivitis.

What is going on in the body?

The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that forms the outermost layer of the eye. Any type of irritation to the eye can cause the blood vessels in the conjunctiva to enlarge. This makes the eye appear red. Irritation also causes the eye to produce more tears. When the eye is infected, white blood cells and mucus are seen on the conjunctiva. This appears as a thick, yellow-green discharge from the eye.

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Conjunctivitis in newborns is often caused by bacteria acquired during birth. The baby gets the bacteria from the mother's vagina during delivery. These bacteria often come from a sexually transmitted disease, or STD. An infant can also be infected if his or her eyes are touched by contaminated hands or objects.

Conjunctivitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae\ bacteria. The infection is usually acquired through sexual contact. ',CAPTION,'Gonorrhea in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">gonorrhea used to be the leading cause of blindness. It shows up at birth or within the first week afterward. In 1981, healthcare providers began putting silver nitrate in the eyes of newborns. This prevents the infection.

The bacteria that cause Chlamydia trachomatis\. Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. In women, the infection usually occurs in the urinary tract, pelvis, or cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. ',CAPTION,'Chlamydia Infection in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">chlamydia, an STD, also cause conjunctivitis in newborns. About half of infants born to infected mothers get the eye infection. Symptoms from this type of the disease show up several days to weeks after birth.

A rare cause of conjunctivitis is the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium. Since it is generally found in hospital settings, newborns and hospitalized people are more at risk. The bacteria can get into the infant's bloodstream. From there, the infection can travel throughout the body. The result can be shock and death.

Staphylococcus and other bacteria can sometimes cause neonatal conjunctivitis. These infections are similar to those caused by chlamydia.

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Neonatal conjunctivitis caused by a bacteria causes the following symptoms:

If the infection progresses deeper into the eye, the following symptoms may occur:

How is the disease diagnosed?

The healthcare provider can make an initial diagnosis by examining the infant. The provider may order lab tests to confirm the diagnosis. Neisseria gonorrhoeae\ bacteria. The infection is usually acquired through sexual contact. ',CAPTION,'Gonorrhea in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">Gonorrhea organisms can be detected by looking at eye discharge under a microscope. Scrapings of the conjunctiva must be taken to find Chlamydia trachomatis\. Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. In women, the infection usually occurs in the urinary tract, pelvis, or cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. ',CAPTION,'Chlamydia Infection in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">chlamydia bacteria. Other bacteria can be found by growing cells from the conjunctiva in the lab. Antibody titer tests can be done to measure antibodies to bacteria in the baby's blood.

What can be done to prevent the disease?

Many cases of neonatal conjunctivitis can be prevented by screening and treating pregnant women for STDs. Putting silver nitrate or antibiotic drops in newborns' eyes right after birth helps prevent gonococcal conjunctivitis. Infants born to mothers who have Chlamydia trachomatis\. Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. In women, the infection usually occurs in the urinary tract, pelvis, or cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. ',CAPTION,'Chlamydia Infection in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">chlamydia infection should be treated with oral antibiotics.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Untreated gonococcal conjunctivitis can cause permanent scarring and blindness. Infections with pseudomonas can cause similar damage to the eye. This type of infection may also lead to bloodstream infection, shock, and death. Infants infected with chlamydia can develop pneumonia.

What are the risks to others?

Neonatal conjunctivitis can be passed from infant to infant in a nursery. This can happen if caregivers don't use good handwashing techniques.

What are the treatments for the disease?

Treatment will depend on the type of infection.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

The silver nitrate drops put in newborns' eyes to prevent infection can also cause mild irritation. This goes away by itself in a day or two without lasting damage. Topical antibiotics may cause an allergic reaction. Oral antibiotics may cause stomach upset, rash, or allergic reactions.

What happens after treatment for the disease?

The healthcare provider will evaluate the baby to see how the conjunctivitis is clearing up. If symptoms continue or progress, further treatment may be necessary.

How is the disease monitored?

Babies should be watched to make sure the infection does not return after treatment. Mothers of infants with neonatal conjunctivitis should be tested and treated for STDs when appropriate. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:John Wegmann, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:04/30/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:08/09/01

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