What is Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Neonatal conjunctivitis is a type of eye inflammation that a baby may develop shortly after birth. This condition affects the outer lining of the eye and the inside of the eyelid (conjunctiva). It can affect one eye or both eyes.

This condition can be serious because newborns do not make enough tears to wash away irritants and germs. A newborn is also less able to fight infection because his or her immune system is not fully developed.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• Bacteria (common). A baby’s eyes are exposed to bacteria in the mother’s birth canal, such as from a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• A chemical. This may be caused by an irritation from the eye drops that were put into a baby’s eyes right after birth to prevent bacterial conjunctivitis.
• A virus (rare). The virus that causes genital herpes can also cause neonatal conjunctivitis. This infection is passed to the baby in the birth canal.

What increases the risk?

A baby is more likely to develop this condition if:

• The baby’s mother did not receive proper prenatal care.
• The mother has an infection in the birth canal.
• The birth is long or difficult.
• The baby is born prematurely.
• The mother’s water breaks early.
• The baby needs to be on a respirator after birth.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition can start right after birth or up to six weeks later. They can be mild or severe. The most common symptoms are:

• Eye redness.
• Tearing.
• Eye discharge.
• Eyelid swelling.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on your baby’s symptoms. Sometimes tests and exams are done to rule out conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. These may include:

• A slit-lamp exam. This is an eye exam that is done with a microscope.
• A culture test. This test is done by collecting a sample of discharge from the baby’s eye and then examining it under a microscope.
• A DNA test. This may be done on any bacteria or viruses that are found during the culture test.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis may be treated with an antibiotic medicine. The medicine may be given as eye drops, by injection, or through an IV.
• Chemical conjunctivitis may be treated with artificial tear eye drops.
• Viral conjunctivitis may be treated with antiviral medicines given through an IV and with an antiviral eye ointment.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Give or apply over-the-counter or prescription medicines only as told by your baby’s health care provider.
• If your baby was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give or apply it as told by his or her health care provider. Do not stop giving or applying the antibiotic even if your baby’s condition improves.
• If you give your baby eye drops, do not touch the dropper to your baby’s eyes.
• Before and after giving or applying medicine, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

General instructions

• Do not touch your baby’s eye.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your baby’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your baby’symptoms return or do not improve with treatment.
• Your baby has problems eating.
• Your baby is fussier than normal.

Get help right away if:

• Your baby has a cough or is breathing noisily.
• Your baby has a fever.
• Your baby is struggling to breathe.
• Your baby’s lips or fingernails are blue.

Summary

• Neonatal conjunctivitis is a type of eye inflammation that a baby may develop shortly after birth.
• This condition can be serious because newborns do not make enough tears to wash away irritants and germs.
• Give or apply over-the-counter or prescription medicines only as told by your baby’s health care provider.