Clinico-bacteriological study of neonatal conjunctivitis.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal infectious diseases
• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Neonatal conjunctivitis is a common infection.
• Identifying risk factors and causative agents is crucial for prevention and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate perinatal risk factors associated with neonatal conjunctivitis.
• To determine the bacteriological profile of neonatal conjunctivitis.
• To evaluate treatment efficacy and identify potential complications.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted on 245 newborns over two years.
• Data on maternal and neonatal factors were collected.
• Bacteriological cultures and antibiotic sensitivity testing were performed.

Main Results:

• Perinatal factors like lack of antenatal care, adverse intrapartum events, operative delivery, birth asphyxia, prematurity, and prolonged hospital stay significantly increased conjunctivitis risk (P<0.001).
• Bacteria were isolated in 66.5% of cases, with Staphylococcus being the most common pathogen, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated in one case.
• Most isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, gentamycin, and tetracycline.
• Topical chloramphenicol was effective in most cases, with only three requiring systemic antibiotics; no complications were observed.

Conclusions:

• Maternal and neonatal factors play a significant role in the development of neonatal conjunctivitis.
• Prompt identification and management of high-risk pregnancies, alongside minimizing hospital stays, can reduce the incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis.
• Topical chloramphenicol is an effective treatment for most cases of bacterial neonatal conjunctivitis.