pediatrics
Neonatal Conjunctivitis
Etiology of Neonatal Conjunctivitis
The major causes of neonatal conjunctivitis (in decreasing order) are Bacterial infection Chemical inflammation Viral infection ( see also Overview of Conjunctivitis ) Infection is acquired from infected mothers during passage through the birth canal. Chlamydial ophthalmia (caused by Chlamydia and Mycoplasmal Mucosal Infections ) is the most common bacterial cause; it accounts for up to 40% of conjunctivitis in neonates Chemical conjunctivitis is usually secondary to the instillation of topical therapy for ocular prophylaxis. The major viral cause is Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections (herpetic keratoconjunctivitis), but this virus causes < 1% of cases. 