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Acute infectious conjunctivitis in childhood

R Chawla1, J D Kellner, W F Astle

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Alberta Children's Hospital;

Paediatrics & Child Health
|January 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Acute infectious conjunctivitis in children is common, often caused by bacteria like Haemophilus influenzae. Topical antibiotics effectively reduce symptoms, with inexpensive options like polymyxin/gramicidin being good choices.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute infectious conjunctivitis is a frequent pediatric condition post-newborn period.
  • Common bacterial culprits include nontypable Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes, symptoms, and treatment of acute infectious conjunctivitis in children.
  • To synthesize evidence on the efficacy of various management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MEDLINE articles predating March 2000.
  • Analysis of 24 clinical trials, with detailed summaries of 5 pediatric trials and brief summaries of 19 adult trials.

Main Results:

  • Topical antibiotics significantly outperform placebo in alleviating conjunctivitis symptoms.
  • Most topical antibiotic agents demonstrate comparable efficacy.
  • Cost-effective, low-adverse-effect options like polymyxin/gramicidin are recommended first-line treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are prevalent in children.
  • Diagnostic microbiology is typically unnecessary for uncomplicated cases.
  • Ophthalmologist referral is advised for diagnostic uncertainty or treatment failure.
Abstract

Keywords:
ConjunctivitisDrug therapyEtiology

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