Newborn conjunctivitis is redness and swelling of the surface of the eye. It usually happens in the first 2 to 4 weeks of life.
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This condition may be caused by:
Things that raise the risk for newborn conjunctivitis are:
The most common symptoms of this problem are:
The doctor will examine the baby's eyes. Diagnosis may be made from the exam. A sample of eye discharge may be taken. This can help the doctor know what is causing the infection.
The treatment of newborn conjunctivitis depends on the cause:
Blocked tear duct —may be treated with warm compresses and gentle massage.
Irritation —may improve on its own in a few days.
Bacteria , including chlamydia or gonorrhea—may be treated with antibiotics by IV, mouth, or on the eyes. It depends on the type.
Herpes virus —will be treated with antiviral medicine. It is given by IV and eye drops or ointments.
Newborn conjunctivitis may be prevented by:
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
http://www.aapos.org
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.healthychildren.org
About Kids Health—The Hospital for Sick Children
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca
Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) in newborns. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/conjunctivitis/newborns.html. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Honkila M, Renko M, et al. Aetiology of neonatal conjunctivitis evaluated in a population-based setting. Acta Paediatr. 2018;107(5):774-779.
Neonatal conjunctivitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/infections-in-neonates/neonatal-conjunctivitis. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Neonatal conjunctivitis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/neonatal-conjunctivitis. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Chelsea Skucek, MSN, BS, RNC-NIC Last Updated: 02/16/2021
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