Neonatal conjunctivitis

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Newborn conjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis of the newborn; Ophthalmia neonatorum; Herpetic neonatal conjunctivitis

Treating a pregnant woman for sexually transmitted diseases will prevent conjunctivitis caused by these infections in her newborn. Depending on the infection, the mother may receive antibiotics through a vein (IV).

Even if the mother's infection has not been recognized, eye drops put into the infant's eyes immediately after birth can help prevent many infections. These drops are used routinely for all hospital births. (Most states have laws requiring this treatment.)

When a mother has active herpes sores at the time of delivery, a cesarean section is recommended to prevent serious illness in the baby.

Rubenstein JB, Virasch V. Conjunctivitis: infectious and noninfectious. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 4.6.

Review Date: 12/11/2009
Reviewed By: Kimberly G. Lee, MD, MSc, IBCLC, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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