Appendix 11A - Management of Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Appendix 11A - Management of Neonatal Conjunctivitis Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee Appendix 11A - Management of Neonatal Conjunctivitis Also see NHS Fife Antibiotic Guidance for the Treatment of Community Managed Infections www.fifeadtc.scot.nhs.uk/formulary/support%20info/Primary%20Care%20Antibiotic%20Guidelines.pdf and the BNF for Children www.bnf.org for current treatments. Mild Moderate to severe Little or no inflammation Inflammation with purulent discharge. Watery/sticky eyes Frequent eye toilet may be all that is required. If the condition settles, no further action is needed. If it doesn’t settle, continue as described next. > Take swab for culture and sensitivities in usual transport media (charcoal) and chlamydia swab using the Remel® Chlamydia test kit. > Frequent eye toilet. > Consider starting empirical topical treatment with chloramphenicol eye drops or ointment. If gonococcus suspected (early > Ongoing treatment depending presentation 24 to 48 hours on swab results and clinical after birth) condition. > Ask for gram stain as well as > In severe/non resolving cases, culture. take throat and eye swabs for > Ensure prompt delivery to viral culture using the Remel® laboratory. Chlamydia test kit. > Assess neonate for systemic > Discuss with microbiology/ infection. ophthalmology. > Consider early and aggressive topical and parenteral antibiotic therapy. Please note: Cleaning infants’ eyes in sterile water or sterile saline would be optimal, especially if further swabbing/culture were to occur a day or two later but warm tap water is an acceptable alternative. • If chlamydia result positive see guidance below for management. • Chlamydial infection may be simultaneous to gonococcal infection and usually develops 5 to 12 days after birth. Author: Opthalmology Version No.: 1 Date: Feb. 2010 Review Date: Feb. 2014 Approved on behalf of NHS Fife by the Fife Area Drugs & Therapeutics Committee Date:Feb. 2010 Area Drug and Therapeutics Committee • The PCR method is very sensitive and should detect the chlamydia from the discharge. Simply swabbing the discharge should be adequate. • Topical treatment alone of gonococcus and chlamydia is inadequate. Appropriate systemic antibiotics are required. • Mothers and partner(s) require investigation/treatment/follow up/ contact tracing by Genitourinary Medicine if the cause is a sexually transmitted infection. Treatment of Chlamydial Conjunctivitis • Chlamydia trachomatis is a relatively common genital infection, which is asymptomatic in the majority of women. Infants born to mothers with chlamydia l cervicitis have a one in two chance of being infected. • Neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis usually presents as acute onset conjunctivitis with eyelid swelling and purulent discharge generally 5 to 19 days after birth. It usually begins as a unilateral process but often becomes bilateral. Untreated chlamydial conjunctivitis results in a chronic low-grade conjunctivitis, which usually resolves spontaneously after 8-12 months, but may cause scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva. • It is important to detect and treat chlamydial eye infection; as untreated, the infant runs a one in five risk of developing chlamydial pneumonitis. • The infection will not be detected by the usual charcoal swab and will not respond to the usual therapy for bacterial conjunctivitis (although it may be temporarily suppressed by use of chloramphenicol ointment). • If chlamydial infection is suspected then it is important to take the appropriate swab using the Remel® Chlamydia test kit. These swabs are available from laboratory reception. Use the smaller of the two swabs. After taking the swab, insert it into the medium and break the swab shaft evenly at the scored line. Replace the cap and close tightly. Transport to the laboratory promptly. Where delay is envisaged please store in refrigerator. • Topical treatment alone is ineffective. A positive result would require treatment with oral erythromycin 12.5mg/kg four times daily for 14 days. The mother and partner would also require investigation/treatment and should be referred by letter to Genitourinary Medicine. Blocked tear duct • Watery, intermittently sticky eyes in infants are often due to blocked tear ducts and do not require topical antibiotic treatment, unless the eye is red. Simple bathing is all that is needed. 95% of watery eyes will spontaneously settle by the age of 18 months. Author: Opthalmology Version No.: 1 Date: Feb. 2010 Review Date: Feb. 2014 Approved on behalf of NHS Fife by the Fife Area Drugs & Therapeutics Committee Date:Feb. 2010 .
Recommended publications
  • Differentiate Red Eye Disorders
    Introduction DIFFERENTIATE RED EYE DISORDERS • Needs immediate treatment • Needs treatment within a few days • Does not require treatment Introduction SUBJECTIVE EYE COMPLAINTS • Decreased vision • Pain • Redness Characterize the complaint through history and exam. Introduction TYPES OF RED EYE DISORDERS • Mechanical trauma • Chemical trauma • Inflammation/infection Introduction ETIOLOGIES OF RED EYE 1. Chemical injury 2. Angle-closure glaucoma 3. Ocular foreign body 4. Corneal abrasion 5. Uveitis 6. Conjunctivitis 7. Ocular surface disease 8. Subconjunctival hemorrhage Evaluation RED EYE: POSSIBLE CAUSES • Trauma • Chemicals • Infection • Allergy • Systemic conditions Evaluation RED EYE: CAUSE AND EFFECT Symptom Cause Itching Allergy Burning Lid disorders, dry eye Foreign body sensation Foreign body, corneal abrasion Localized lid tenderness Hordeolum, chalazion Evaluation RED EYE: CAUSE AND EFFECT (Continued) Symptom Cause Deep, intense pain Corneal abrasions, scleritis, iritis, acute glaucoma, sinusitis, etc. Photophobia Corneal abrasions, iritis, acute glaucoma Halo vision Corneal edema (acute glaucoma, uveitis) Evaluation Equipment needed to evaluate red eye Evaluation Refer red eye with vision loss to ophthalmologist for evaluation Evaluation RED EYE DISORDERS: AN ANATOMIC APPROACH • Face • Adnexa – Orbital area – Lids – Ocular movements • Globe – Conjunctiva, sclera – Anterior chamber (using slit lamp if possible) – Intraocular pressure Disorders of the Ocular Adnexa Disorders of the Ocular Adnexa Hordeolum Disorders of the Ocular
    [Show full text]
  • A Microbiological Study of Neonatal Conjunctivae and Conjunctivitis
    Br J Ophthalmol: first published as 10.1136/bjo.61.9.601 on 1 September 1977. Downloaded from British Journal of Ophthalmology, 1977, 61, 601-607 A microbiological study of neonatal conjunctivae and conjunctivitis M. J. PRENTICE, G. R. HUTCHINSON, AND D. TAYLOR-ROBINSON From the Division of Communicable Diseases, MRC Clinical Research Centre, and Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex SUJMMARY To investigate the importance of chlamydiae, ureaplasmas, Mycoplasma hominis, and anaerobic bacteria in the pathogenesis of neonatal conjunctivitis in the Harrow population con- junctival specimens from 104 infants with conjunctivitis and 104 similar healthy neonates were examined. The incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis was 8 2%, and no case of neomycin-resistant disease occurred during the study. Staphylococcus aureus, viridans Streptococci, and Eschlerichia coli were the only micro-organisms isolated significantly more frequently from affected than from control eyes, which suggests that these bacteria may be a cause of the conjunctivitis. All cultures for chlamydiae, M. hominis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and anaerobic bacteria were negative. The mother's race, social status, illness, and obstetric events were found to have no effect on the incidence, time of onset of conjunctivitis, or micro-organisms isolated. The clinical characteristics of conjunc- tivitis were also not related to the micro-organisms isolated. No potential pathogens were isolated from 63-5 % of the eyes showing conjunctivitis. The results suggest that some of these cases may be caused by chemical irritation, and the possibility of an infectious aetiology is also discussed. copyright. Neonatal conjunctivitis is a common disease et al., 1974; Burns et al., 1975), but some cases of affecting between 2-6% (Watson and Gairdner, cervicitis may be caused by this organism (Chiang 1968) and 5 to 8% (Hurley, 1966) of infants born et al., 1968; Hobson et al., 1976).
    [Show full text]
  • Infections in & Around The
    Starship Children’s Health Clinical Guideline Note: The electronic version of this guideline is the version currently in use. Any printed version can not be assumed to be current. Please remember to read our disclaimer. INFECTIONS IN & AROUND THE EYE Examining the Eyes Herpes Simplex Keratitis Preseptal vs Orbital cellulitis Herpes Zoster Opthalmicus Preseptal (periorbital) cellulitis Non-infectious conditions that may cause Orbital Cellulitis diagnostic confusion Dacryocystitis o Watery & Sticky eyes in the Stye / Hordeolum Newborn Neonatal conjunctivitis o Allergic Conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis (non-neonatal) o Chalazion o Viral conjunctivitis References o Bacterial conjunctivitis Examining the eyes Always assess visual acuity in each eye separately > 6 weeks fixing & following or reaching for objects of interest. >12 months – see and pick up small objects such as hundred-and-thousands > 3 to 4 years – letter or shape matching is usually possible > 5-6 year olds - Snellen chart usually possible (NB: 6/9 means the child can read line 9 at 6 metres) Check pupil responses and for a red reflex, examine the conjunctiva, stain with fluorescein and examine with the BLUE light on the ophthalmoscope (not the green light), check for a foreign body including beneath the upper eyelid by everting the lid over a cotton bud. Preseptal versus Orbital cellulitis It is essential to distinguish between these conditions as they differ considerably in terms of severity of complications, urgency of investigations & management. The orbital septum is a thin membrane that extends from the orbital periosteum & inserts into the tarsal plates of both eyelids. It acts as a physical barrier to infection. Preseptal (periorbital) Cellulitis Infection of the superficial eyelid & periorbital structures anterior to the orbital septum.
    [Show full text]
  • Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Conjunctivitis
    Clinical Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation nnnnnnnnnnnnnn Bacteremia, Meningitis, and Brain Abscesses in a Hospitalized Infant: Complications of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Conjunctivitis Samir S. Shah, MD dosis. The white blood cell count was 50,900/mm3 with 59% seg- Peter Gloor, MD mented neutrophils and 17% band forms. The platelet count was 3 Patrick G. Gallagher, MD 20,000/mm , and prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times were prolonged at 26.5 seconds and .2 minutes, respectively. Cere- This report describes a preterm infant hospitalized in a neonatal brospinal fluid examination revealed a glucose of 22 mg/dl, a protein 3 3 intensive care unit who developed Pseudomonas aeruginosa of 164 mg/dl, 5/mm erythrocytes, and 387/mm leukocytes. Blood, conjunctivitis associated with bacteremia, meningitis, and multiple urine, endotracheal secretion, and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were brain abscesses. P. aeruginosa conjunctivitis can rapidly progress to an obtained. Cranial ultrasonography was normal. Treatment included invasive eye infection, such as corneal ulceration or endophthalmitis, intravenous fluid boluses, dopamine infusion, mechanical ventila- leading to poor vision or blindness. Progression of this infection may tion, and transfusion with packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, lead to systemic disease. However, as illustrated in this report, P. and platelets. Intravenous ampicillin and ceftriaxone were prescribed. aeruginosa conjunctivitis may be associated with the development of These were subsequently changed to intravenous gentamicin and systemic complications such as bacteremia and meningitis in the ceftazidime when Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from absence of invasive eye disease. P. aeruginosa is a relatively common blood, endotracheal, and conjunctival cultures. Both eyes were treated cause of conjunctivitis in hospitalized preterm and low birth weight with ophthalmic gentamicin ointment.
    [Show full text]
  • Guidelines for Universal Eye Screening in Newborns Including RETINOPATHY of Prematurity
    GUIDELINES FOR UNIVERSAL EYE SCREENING IN NEWBORNS INCLUDING RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY RASHTRIYA BAL SWASthYA KARYAKRAM Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Government of India June 2017 MESSAGE The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, under the National Health Mission launched the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), an innovative and ambitious initiative, which envisages Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services. The main focus of the RBSK program is to improve the quality of life of our children from the time of birth till 18 years through timely screening and early management of 4 ‘D’s namely Defects at birth, Development delays including disability, childhood Deficiencies and Diseases. To provide a healthy start to our newborns, RBSK screening begins at birth at delivery points through comprehensive screening of all newborns for various defects including eye and vision related problems. Some of these problems are present at birth like congenital cataract and some may present later like Retinopathy of prematurity which is found especially in preterm children and if missed, can lead to complete blindness. Early Newborn Eye examination is an integral part of RBSK comprehensive screening which would prevent childhood blindness and reduce visual and scholastic disabilities among children. Universal newborn eye screening at delivery points and at SNCUs provides a unique opportunity to identify and manage significant eye diseases in babies who would otherwise appear healthy to their parents. I wish that State and UTs would benefit from the ‘Guidelines for Universal Eye Screening in Newborns including Retinopathy of Prematurity’ and in supporting our future generation by providing them with disease free eyes and good quality vision to help them in their overall growth including scholastic achievement.
    [Show full text]
  • Paediatric Conjunctivitis
    Paediatric Conjunctivitis - Shivanand Sheth Unilateral pussy discharge in a white eye Unilateral pussy discharge in a white eye • Dacryocystitis or Mucocoele • Due to Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (CNLDO) • Unlikely to be conjunctivitis • No need of antibiotics or any eye drops • Can sometimes be bilateral Plan: Swab and refer to ophthalmologist Needs nasolacrimal duct probing if does not spontaneously resolve Bilateral pussy discharge with pink/red eyes Bilateral pussy discharge with pink/red eyes • Typically simultaneous onset or one eye follows other eye shortly, but can be unilateral • Acute conjunctivitis • Plan: Start Chlorsig eye drops qid (antibiotic) • Expect to get better in 2-3 days • If no improvement or gets worse – Refer! Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) • Mostly viral in origin (adenovirus most common) • Very red • Very swollen • Can be unilateral or bilateral • Mucous discharge • Highly contagious • Cornea is near perfect – (but some may develop punctate erosions later on) • If cornea affected Refer to consultant Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) • Can linger for weeks (1 to 6 weeks) • Treatment symptomatic mainly: – No treatment or lubricants – Cold compresses for relief – NSAIDS orally if discomfort/pain (Panadol) – Mild steroid eye drops (Flarex or FML tds) if cornea shows punctate erosions – Refer if not better in 3 days Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) Most important: – Isolate patient. Highly contagious. – In-office infection control after seeing patient. – Clean slit-lamp and other ophthal equipment in contact with patient – Can easily transmit to other patients if not careful – Also commonest conjunctivitis amongst eye care personnel Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) – When conjunctivitis starts getting better cornea may show subepithelial infiltrates. – These can cause blurry vision.
    [Show full text]
  • Blindness in Children: a Worldwide Perspective
    STATISTICS Blindness in children: a worldwide perspective Parikshit Gogate Head, ORBIS-supported Dept of Paediatric Ophthalmology, HV Desai Eye Hospital, 93/2 Taravde Vasti, Mohamadwadi, Gilbert Clare Hadapsar, Pune 411 028, India. Clare Gilbert Reader, International Centre for Eye Health, Chief Medical Advisor, Sightsavers International, UK. Many of the causes of childhood blindness are avoidable, being either preventable or treatable.1 Only three per cent of the world’s blind population are children. However, because children have a lifetime of blindness ahead of them, the number of ‘blind person years’ resulting from blindness Children in a school starting in childhood is second only to for the blind. KENYA cataract.2 Controlling blindness in children is a priority of VISION 20203,4; however, as • lens (e.g. cataract, aphakia) rubella or thalidomide) its causes differ from that of blindness in • uvea (e.g. aniridia) • perinatal (e.g. retinopathy of prematurity, adults, different strategies, personnel, infra- • retina (e.g. retinal dystrophies) birth injury, neonatal conjunctivitis/ structure, and equipment are required to • optic nerve (e.g. atrophy) ophthalmia neonatorum) combat it. There is also a greater urgency • glaucoma • childhood (e.g. vitamin A deficiency when managing children, as delays in • conditions where the eye appears normal disorders, measles, trauma) treatment can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye). (e.g. refractive errors, cortical blindness, • unknown/cannot be determined (e.g. amblyopia). congenital abnormalities). Classifying the causes of The information necessary for this Information about underlying causes of blindness in children descriptive classification can be collected blindness, although often more difficult to on every child following examination and collect, is more useful for planning.
    [Show full text]
  • Ophthalmia Neonatorum
    PREGLED REVIEW Gynaecol Perinatol 2014;23(4):121–126 *Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Hospital Dubrava; **University of Zagreb, School of medicine; ***General Hospital Karlovac; ****Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Stubi~ke Toplice OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM Snje`ana Ka{telan*, Ema Kasun**, @eljko [tajcer***, Boris Kasun**** Review article Key words: neonatal conjunctivitis, aetiology, clinical features, treatment, prophylaxis SUMMARY. Ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) or neonatal conjunctivitis is an acute mucopurulent infection of the conjunctivae occurring within 28 days of life. It is a relatively common disease affecting 1.6% to 12% of all newborn infants with an increase up to 23% in developing countries. ON can be divided into noninfectious and infectious categories. The most common noninfectious cause is chemical conjunctivitis whilst the infec- tious category includes bacterial, chlamydial and viral infections with chlamydia being the most common. Affected newborns present with a purulent, mucopurulent or mucoid discharge from one or both eyes, in- jected conjunctiva and lid swelling. In some cases there may also be an association with systemic infection. The time of onset of conjunctivitis as well as conjunctival scraping can aid in the diagnosis of the specifi c aetiology. A number of prophylactic antibiotic or antiseptic agents have been used to prevent ON namely 1% silver nitrate ophthalmic drops, 0.5% erythromycin or 1% tetracycline ophthalmic ointment and recently a 2.5% povidone-iodine ophthalmic solution. Despite this fact ON still remains a significant cause of ocular mor- bidity, blindness and even death in underdeveloped countries. The organisms causing ON are transmitted mainly from the mother’s birth canal during delivery.
    [Show full text]
  • Every Red Eye Deserves an Antibiotic
    Ocular Infection Management- The Next Generation Bruce E. Onofrey, OD, RPh, FAAO Professor, U. Houston UEI SERIOUS PROBLEMS REQUIRE SERIOUS DOCUMENTATION THE BIG 6 “I’s” • INFECTION • INFLAMMATION • ISCHEMIA • INJURY • IDIOPATHIC • IATROGENIC (idiotpathic) Just the facts Mrs. Johnson • 65 y/o female visiting her friend Madge from Portland, Oregon. • Madge is one of your favorite long-term patients • Madge refers patient to you • Patient is very concerned about her “eye infection” The Simple Conjunctivitis Case • 65 y/o female recently in LA to visit son • Both developed red eyes • Son told mom he has genital herpes • and chlamydia • Mother seen by local ophthalmologist HX • My vision is getting worse in my left eye • It feels very “sore” and itches a lot • It waters all the time and it feels like my eye is too big for the eye socket • It’s glued shut every morning and very swollen • People are afraid to talk to me –they think I’m going to give them “pink eye” • Am I contagious? Will I lose my vision? Case : cont’d • Mom has Hx of trachoma as child and TB in remission. Worked in a TB ward-Was treated years ago • Mom wears mono-vision CL on OS only. Disposable-wears X wears X 2 weeks. Last worn 9 days ago Case : Cont’d • Eye now very painful and vision very bad • Calif. Dr said the cornea was all “torn up” • The doctor said the drops he gave me would make it better right-away-it made it worse and I stopped it after a day • I’ve been using the new drops daily and taking the pills, but it’s just getting worse every day • Am I going blind?!? QUESTION: Differential DX • 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Review Article Conjunctivitis
    Review Article Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review Amir A. Azari, MD1,2, Amir Arabi, MD, MPH1,2 1Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Ophthalmology, Torfeh Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ORCID: Amir A. Azari: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2013-3284 Abstract Conjunctivitis is a commonly encountered condition in ophthalmology clinics throughout the world. In the management of suspected cases of conjunctivitis, alarming signs for more serious intraocular conditions, such as severe pain, decreased vision, and painful pupillary reaction, must be considered. Additionally, a thorough medical and ophthalmic history should be obtained and a thorough physical examination should be done in patients with atypical findings and chronic course. Concurrent physical exam findings with relevant history may reveal the presence of a systemic condition with involvement of the conjunctiva. Viral conjunctivitis remains to be the most common overall cause of conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is encountered less frequently and it is the second most common cause of infectious conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is encountered in nearly half of the population and the findings include itching, mucoid discharge, chemosis, and eyelid edema. Long-term usage of eye drops with preservatives in a patient with conjunctival irritation and discharge points to the toxic conjunctivitis as the underlying etiology. Effective management of conjunctivitis includes timely diagnosis, appropriate differentiation of the various etiologies, and appropriate treatment. Keywords: Allergic; Bacterial; Conjunctivitis; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Viral; Toxic J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2020; 15 (3): 372–395 INTRODUCTION by engorgement of the blood vessels, ocular discharge, and pain.
    [Show full text]
  • Ophthalmology
    LECTURE NOTES For Health Science Students Ophthalmology Dereje Negussie, Yared Assefa, Atotibebu Kassa, Azanaw Melese University of Gondar In collaboration with the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative, The Carter Center, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health, and the Ethiopia Ministry of Education 2004 Funded under USAID Cooperative Agreement No. 663-A-00-00-0358-00. Produced in collaboration with the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative, The Carter Center, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health, and the Ethiopia Ministry of Education. Important Guidelines for Printing and Photocopying Limited permission is granted free of charge to print or photocopy all pages of this publication for educational, not-for-profit use by health care workers, students or faculty. All copies must retain all author credits and copyright notices included in the original document. Under no circumstances is it permissible to sell or distribute on a commercial basis, or to claim authorship of, copies of material reproduced from this publication. ©2004 by Dereje Negussie, Yared Assefa, Atotibebu Kassa, Azanaw Melese All rights reserved. Except as expressly provided above, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author or authors. This material is intended for educational use only by practicing health care workers or students and faculty in a health care field. PREFACE This lecture note will serve as a practical guideline for the hard-pressed mid-level health workers. We hope that it will be a good introduction to eye diseases for health science students working in Ethiopia.
    [Show full text]
  • OPHTHALMIA-NEONATORUM.Pdf
    Author: Consultant Ophthalmologist, Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre (BMEC); Lucy Titcomb, Lead Pharmacist, BMEC Approved: Drugs and Therapeutic Committee, May 2011 Child Health Clinical Governance Group, June 2011 Updated: May 2011 Review date: May 2013 Ophthalmia Neonatorum Definition Ophthalmia neonatorum is a conjunctival inflammation occurring during the first month of life. As of April 2010, it is no longer a notifiable disease (http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/NotificationsOfInfecti ousDiseases/ListOfNotifiableDiseases/). Causes These include bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, chlamydiae and rarely Herpes simplex virus and chemical irritants. Almost any common bacterial pathogen can cause the condition, but Neiserria gonorrhoea infection is of particular concern as it can cause corneal ulceration. Chlamydial conjunctivitis: o This is an increasingly common cause of neonatal conjunctivitis in the UK. o The incubation period is 5 -14 days. o Initially unilateral, it usually becomes bilateral. o The lids are swollen and there is a watery, mucopurulent discharge which may be blood stained. The conjunctival reaction is papillary rather than follicular. o It can give rise to a superior pannus, conjunctival scarring and rarely, a corneal opacity. o Systemic complications include rhinitis, otitis and pneumonitis. Gonococcal conjunctivitis: o Occurs in the first few days of life. o There is a rapidly progressing severe purulent conjunctivitis. o The cornea can be rapidly affected: ulceration and even perforation can occur resulting destruction of the eye. Conjunctivitis caused by other bacteria: o Typically, symptoms develop in the first 4-5 days of life, but they can occur at any time. o Organisms include: S.aureus, S.epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Serratia spp., Pseudomonas spp.
    [Show full text]