OPTHALMIA NEONATORUM

 OPTHALMIA NEONATORUM

This is a condition that occurs in neonates within 21 days of life and is characterized by purulent discharge from the eyes. It is common in infants of mothers who had vaginal discharge e.g. gonnorrhoea during pregnancy. Syphilis does not predispose an infant to opthalmianeonatorum but it causes congenital syphilis that is characterized by gross congenital malformation.

 

CAUSATIVE ORGANISMS

 

ü neisseriagonorrhoeae

ü chalmydiatrachomatis

ü staphylococcus aureus

ü Escherichia coli

ü Haemophilus influenza

ü Streptococcus pneumonia

ü Pseudomonas .spp

ü Klebsiella

 CLINICAL FEATURES

ü Eyes have sticky watery discharge

ü Eyes are slightly red

ü Oedematus eyelids

ü Yellow purulent discharge if the infection is by N.gonorrhoeae

ü Inflamed conjunctiva

 NURSING MANAGEMENT

ü All perinatal mothers presenting with vaginal discharge suggestive of gonnorrhoae should be treated before delivery.

ü Correctly swab the baby’s eye at birth.

ü Instill 1% tetracycline ointment (TEO) to all babies prophylactically.

ü All infected babies should be isolated

ü Take eye swab for culture and sensitivity

ü Administer drugs such as;

· Gentamycin eye drops

· TEO but not systemic tetracycline

· Penicillin eye drops

· Kanamycin eye drops

ü Swab the eyes with warm saline 3 times a day from inside outwards

ü Administer some broad –spectrum systemic antibiotic but not tetracycline because it deposits in bone leading to depressed bone growth.

COMPLICATIONS

Partial or permanent blindness

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