Conjunctivitis in the newborn: observations on incidence, cause, and prophylaxis

Ann Ophthalmol. 1981 Mar;13(3):329-34.

Abstract

One hundred seventy-one cases of neonatal conjunctivitis seen at Bellevue Hospital during the period 1950--1976 were reviewed. An overall incidence of 3.0 cases per 1,000 live births was found. A comparison of the rates of neonatal conjunctivitis with silver nitrate and tetracycline prophylaxis revealed a 100% increase in the rate overall, as well as the rate of gonococcal conjunctivitis with tetracycline. Using conjunctival cultures and cytology, a diagnosis could be established in 73% of the cases, with 41% being bacterial and 32% chlamydial. Staphylococcus was the single most common organism recovered; gonococcus was relatively rare.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Chlamydia Infections / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Infant, Newborn, Diseases / prevention & control
  • Methods
  • Ophthalmia Neonatorum / diagnosis*
  • Ophthalmia Neonatorum / prevention & control
  • Silver Nitrate / therapeutic use
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Tetracycline / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Silver Nitrate
  • Tetracycline