Ophthalmia Neonatorum or Neonatal Conjunctivitis

In follow up per Dr. Stephanie's blog, Dr. Ramos in Jamaica shares the following information:

Our recommend treatment for Ophthalmia Neonatorum or Neonatal Conjuctivitis does not differ from what is recommended and practiced elsewhere including many Pediatric hospitals
in North America.

Providing that the suspected etiology is infectious, then "triple antibiotic therapy" is
recommended. This consists of:

Topical: Tetracycline
Eye Ointment 1% for 7 days
Oral: Erythromycin,
50mg/kg/day (divided q 6-8 h) for 2-3 weeks.
Paraenteral: Ceftriaxone
50m/kg/ single dose (maximum dose 125mg).

Neonates treated as outpatients should be reviewed within 2 weeks.

Based on my experience (over 10 years) using this "triple antibiotic therapy", the vast majority of cases (>95%) will resolve.

We do not routinely recommend admission, unless there is an indication for it,
example:

- Signs of systemic involvement (hyper, hypo or unstable body temperature, vomiting, coughing, sick looking baby, etc)
- Severe ocular signs (risk for intraocular complications)
- Concerns about treatment compliance or proper follow up.

If the baby is suspected to have a systemic sepsis in addition to the above outlined treatment regimen, we recommend a combination of Penicillin/ Aminoglycoside for at least 7 days or
until cultures reports are available.

It is to be remembered that cohorts differs from country to country, even from state to
state; therefore we must be aware of this when we approach a population of a different background than the one we are used to attend. Causative agents prevalences, popular practices, and socio-economic status all might also influence the way we approach these conditions.