Ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis

Czech version

Authors: P. Čtvrtníčková; T. Juren
Authors‘ workplace: Neonatologické oddělení, Fakultní nemocnice Brno, Brno
Published in: Čes-slov Neonat 2025; 31 (1): 50-55.
Category: Reviews

Overview

Ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis

Neonatal conjunctivitis (ophthalmia neonatorum) is an acute conjunctival infection that occurs within the first 28 days of life. In most instances, it is a mild illness, but severe gonococcal infections can cause blindness. Antenatal screening and treatment, if indicated, can prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. Another form of prevention is the neonatal eye prophylaxis. The article summarises the advantages and disadvantages of neonatal eye prophylaxis given to all newborns. It seems to be better to indicate the eye prophylaxis only in the presence of risk factors according to local epidemiological situation and foreign recommendations.

Keywords:

Chlamydia trachomatis – Neisseria gonorrhoeae – ophthalmia neonatorum – antenatal screening – neonatal ocular prophylaxis

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Labels

Neonatology Neonatal Nurse

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Article was published in

Czech and Slovak Neonatology

2025 Issue 1