Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
08:13
In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye: A Focus on Imaging Protocols and Interpretation
Published on: November 11, 2025
605
Erythromycin Prophylaxis for Neonatal Conjunctivitis: Ointment Versus Drops.
Irena Ulanovsky1, Morya Shnaider1, Yuval Geffen2
1Department of Neonatology, Rappaport Children's Hospital, Rambam Health Care Campus, affiliated with Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|May 5, 2017
Summary
Switching from individualized erythromycin ointment to shared erythromycin drops did not change the rate of neonatal conjunctivitis (NC). This study found no significant difference in clinical or bacterial NC rates between the two formulations.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal ophthalmology
- Infectious disease prevention
- Public health
Background:
- A shortage of individualized erythromycin ointment (IEO) necessitated a switch to shared erythromycin drops (SED).
- Nurses reported an increase in observed eye discharge following the change in formulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the switch from IEO to SED impacted the incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis (NC).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 14,916 neonates born over two 12-month periods was analyzed.
- Clinical NC, bacterial NC, and bacterial growth rates were compared between the IEO and SED periods.
- Gestational age > 35 weeks was a criterion for inclusion.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in clinical NC, bacterial NC, or bacterial growth percentage between the IEO and SED periods.
- Fewer cesarean deliveries and shorter lengths of stay were noted in the SED period.
- Male gender and length of stay were independently associated with increased clinical NC.
Conclusions:
- The change in erythromycin formulation from IEO to SED did not affect the overall rate of neonatal conjunctivitis.
- The study provides evidence that shared erythromycin drops are a safe alternative in preventing neonatal conjunctivitis.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems
103
Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
103
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
1.1K
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
1.1K
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
457
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
457
01:23Hand hygiene
6.3K
Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Hand washing...
6.3K
01:22Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Stability-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
233
Generic intravenous (IV) drugs are considered bioequivalent to their branded counterparts due to their 100% bioavailability upon administration. However, variations in stability among different drug products can significantly influence their therapeutic performance, even if they are pharmaceutically equivalent.Cefuroxime, a prophylactic antimicrobial, is often used as a single-dose IV injection for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A 3 g dose typically provides...
233
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
340
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
340