pediatrics
Neonatal Conjunctivitis
Key Points
C. trachomatis,S. pneumoniae, and nontypeableH. influenzaecause most bacterial conjunctivitis;N. gonorrhoeaeis a rare cause. Chemical conjunctivitis can result from antimicrobial drops orsilver nitrategiven at birth to prevent bacterial conjunctivitis. Conjunctivae are injected, and discharge (watery or purulent) is present. Test conjunctival material for pathogens (including gonorrhea and chlamydia) using culture, and sometimes nucleic acid amplification tests. Give antibiotics active against the infecting organism; neonates with gonococcal infection should be hospitalized. Give systemic therapy for chlamydial ophthalmia. 