How To Prevent Ophthalmia Neonatorum In Babies?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 17:08

Ophthalmia neonatorum is a conjunctivitis that occurs in newborn babies. It is an inflammation of the eye surface sometimes caused due to infection. The eye infection can potentially damage the eye of the baby so prevention is necessary.

The inflammation occurs in infants in their first month and may lead to irritation, redness of the eyes. If caused through infection then it is bacterial infection. The bacteria travels from the mother's canal to the baby and affects it's eyes. The infection is passed to the infant during delivery with many other diseases the mother suffers.

The ophthalmia neonatorum bacteria can pass sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, pseudomonas etc from the mother to child which are the actual risk factors.

Symptoms: Babies suffering from ophthalmia neonatorum will have tear ducts blocked, discharge from the eyes (water or thick pus). The eyelids also swell.

Diagnosis: The pediatrician will first examine if the child suffers from ophthalmia neonatorum and if it is, the physician will examine the eyes, collect the sample of the discharge and check if the baby is allergic to any medicine.

Treatment: The prescribed antibiotics eye drops and ointments can treat and prevent the child from the eye infection. Also compressing with wet cotton and massaging the area can provide relief and unblock the tear ducts. Antibiotics and injections is also given for infants for cure.

Altough the effects ophthalmia neonatorum is serious, the hospitals offer effective prevention measures. The diagnosis is not only for the newborn but even the mothers are treated with injections to prevent the transmission of the bacteria.