Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in Newborns

Español: La conjuntivitis en los recién nacidos

Newborns with symptoms of conjunctivitis (pink eye) should see a doctor right away.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is a red eye in a newborn caused by infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct. When caused by an infection, neonatal conjunctivitis can be very serious.

Symptoms and Causes of Conjunctivitis in Newborns

Newborns with conjunctivitis develop drainage from the eyes within 1 day to 2 weeks after birth. Their eyelids become puffy, red, and tender. The cause of neonatal conjunctivitis is often difficult to determine because, in many instances, the symptoms don’t vary by cause.

Conjunctivitis 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. Even mothers without symptoms (asymptomatic) at the time of delivery can carry and pass bacteria or viruses to babies during birth.

The most common types of neonatal conjunctivitis include the following:

• Inclusion (chlamydial) conjunctivitis
  Chlamydia trachomatis can cause inclusion conjunctivitis and genital infections (chlamydia). Women with untreated chlamydia can pass the bacteria to her baby during childbirth. Symptoms of inclusion conjunctivitis include redness of the eye(s), swelling of the eyelids, and discharge of pus. Symptoms are likely to appear 5 to 12 days after birth. About half of newborns with chlamydial conjunctivitis also have the infection in other parts of their bodies. The bacteria can infect the lungs and nasopharynx (where the back of the nose connects to the mouth).
• Gonococcal conjunctivitis
  Neisseria gonorrhoeae cause gonococcal conjunctivitis, as well as the sexually transmitted infection called gonorrhea. Women with untreated gonorrhea can pass the bacteria to her baby during childbirth. Symptoms usually include red eyes, thick pus in the eyes, and swelling of the eyelids. This type of conjunctivitis usually begins about 2 to 4 days after birth. It can be associated with serious infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) in newborns.
• Chemical conjunctivitis
  When eye drops are given to newborns to help prevent a bacterial infection, the newborn’s eye(s) may become irritated. This may be diagnosed as chemical conjunctivitis. Symptoms of chemical conjunctivitis usually include mildly red eye(s) and some swelling of the eyelids. Symptoms are likely to last for only 24 to 36 hours.
• Other neonatal conjunctivitis
  Viruses and bacteria other than Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause conjunctivitis. For example, bacteria that normally live in a woman’s vagina and are not sexually transmitted can cause conjunctivitis. Additionally, the viruses that cause genital and oral herpes can cause neonatal conjunctivitis and severe eye damage. The mother may pass such viruses to her baby during childbirth. However, herpes conjunctivitis is less common than conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia. Symptoms usually include red eye(s) and swollen eyelids with some pus.

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Prevention and Treatment of Conjunctivitis in Newborns

To prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, state law requires most hospitals to put drops or ointment in a newborn’s eyes. In the past, hospitals used silver nitrate; now hospitals mostly use antibiotic eye drops, such as erythromycin. 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 the newborn baby.

Doctors may treat neonatal conjunctivitis caused by a bacterial infection with antibiotics. It will depend on the severity of the infection and the bacteria that caused it. Some antibiotics are applied as an eye drop or ointment in the eye (topical). Other antibiotics are given by mouth (orally) or through a vein (intravenous). Doctors may treat a newborn’s conjunctivitis with a combination of topical, and either oral or intravenous antibiotics. Rinsing the newborn’s infected eye with a saline solution will remove any pus that builds up.

If a blocked tear duct causes conjunctivitis, a gentle, warm massage between the eye and nasal area may help. If the blocked tear duct does not clear by 1 year of age, the newborn may require surgery.

Treatments for the common causes of neonatal conjunctivitis are as follows:

• Inclusion (chlamydial) conjunctivitis
  Doctors usually use oral antibiotics to treat inclusion conjunctivitis.
• Gonococcal conjunctivitis
  Doctors usually give intravenous (IV) antibiotics to treat gonococcal conjunctivitis. If untreated, the newborn could develop corneal ulcerations (open sores in the cornea) and blindness.
• Chemical conjunctivitis
  Since this type of conjunctivitis is caused by chemical irritation, treatment is usually not required. The newborn will usually get better in 24 to 36 hours.
• Other bacterial and viral conjunctivitis
  Doctors usually give antibiotic drops or ointments to treat conjunctivitis caused by bacteria other than Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. For both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis, a warm compress to the eye may relieve swelling and irritation. Be sure to wash hands before and after touching the infected eyes.

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