If a blocked tear duct causes conjunctivitis, a gentle, warm massage between the eye and nasal area may help. Rinsing the newborn’s infected eye with a saline solution will remove any debris that may develop in response to the infection. Doctors may treat a newborn’s conjunctivitis with a combination of topical, and either oral, intravenous, or intramuscular antibiotics. Other antibiotics are given by mouth (orally), through a vein (intravenous), or as a shot (intramuscular). Some antibiotics are applied as an eye drop or ointment in the eye (topical). It will depend on the severity of the infection and the bacteria that caused it. During pregnancy and prior to giving birth, women with genital herpes should consult with their physician about ways to minimize the chances of spread to their newborn baby.ĭoctors may treat neonatal conjunctivitis caused by a bacterial infection with antibiotics. In the past, hospitals used silver nitrate now hospitals mostly use antibiotic eye drops, typically erythromycin. To prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, most states have laws requiring providers to put drops or ointment in a newborn’s eyes, typically within 2-3 hours of birth. Prevention and Treatment of Conjunctivitis in Newborns Symptoms usually include red eye(s) and swollen eyelids with some pus. However, herpes conjunctivitis is less common than conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia. The mother may pass such viruses to her baby during childbirth. Additionally, the viruses that cause genital and oral herpes can cause neonatal conjunctivitis and severe eye damage. For example, bacteria that normally live in a woman’s vagina and are not sexually transmitted can cause conjunctivitis. Viruses and bacteria other than Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause conjunctivitis. Symptoms are likely to last for only 24 to 36 hours. Symptoms of chemical conjunctivitis usually include mildly red eye(s) and some swelling of the eyelids. This may be diagnosed as chemical conjunctivitis. When eye drops are given to newborns to help prevent a bacterial infection, the newborn’s eye(s) may become irritated. It can also progress to serious infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) in newborns. This type of conjunctivitis usually begins in the first 2-5 days of life. Symptoms usually include red eyes, thick pus in the eyes, and swelling of the eyelids. A woman with untreated gonorrhea can pass the bacteria to her baby during childbirth. Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause gonococcal conjunctivitis, as well as the sexually transmitted infection called gonorrhea. The bacteria can infect the lungs and nasopharynx (where the back of the nose connects to the mouth). Some newborns with chlamydial conjunctivitis can have the infection in other parts of their bodies. Symptoms can develop earlier if the amniotic sac is ruptured during delivery. Symptoms are likely to appear 5 to 12 days after birth. Symptoms of inclusion conjunctivitis include redness of the eye(s), swelling of the eyelids, and discharge of pus. A woman with untreated chlamydia can pass the bacteria to her baby during childbirth. The most common types of neonatal conjunctivitis include the following:Ĭhlamydia trachomatis can cause inclusion conjunctivitis and genital infections (chlamydia). Even mothers without symptoms (asymptomatic) at the time of delivery can carry and pass bacteria or viruses to babies during birth. The cause of neonatal conjunctivitis is often difficult to determine because, in many instances, the symptoms don’t vary by cause.Ĭonjunctivitis in a newborn may be caused by a blocked tear duct, irritation produced by the topical antimicrobials given at birth, or infection with a virus or bacterium passed from the mother to her baby during childbirth. Their eyelids become puffy, red, and tender. Newborns with conjunctivitis develop drainage from the eyes within a few days to several weeks after birth.

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