Snapshot A female neonate is born via spontaneous vaginal delivery to a G1P0 mother who did not undergo any prenatal care. Her past medical history is notable for drug use. Her pregnancy did not have any complications. After birth, the mother refuses to let the hospital staff administer erythromycin ointment. Two days later, the neonate is noted to have significant eyelid edema and purulent discharge. A scraping of the fluid on Gram stain is noted to have intracellular diplococci, consistent with a diagnosis of gonococcal conjunctivitis. The neonate is given the appropriate medication for treatment. (Gonococcal conjunctivitis) Introduction Overview neonatal conjunctivitis is also known as ophthalmia neonatorum and is categorized as aseptic vs septic aseptic irritant or chemical conjunctivitis septic chlamydial conjunctivitis gonococcal conjunctivitis secondary to N. gonorrhoeae HSV conjunctivitis Epidemiology Incidence septic neonatal conjunctivitis 1-2% Chlamydial conjunctivitis is the most common cause of septic conjunctivitis Pathogenesis mechanism septic conjunctivitis is often obtained as the neonates pass through birth canal Aseptic Conjunctivitis Introduction silver nitrate was used to prevent gonococcal conjunctivitis and a common cause of irritant conjunctivitis this is less common due to use of erythromycin ointment or tetracycline ointment in place of silver nitrate Presentation onset in first few days of life mild tearing and conjunctival injection more severe responses include lid edema, chemosis, and exudate Studies Gram stain neutrophils Treatment typically self-resolves Gonococcal Conjunctivitis Introduction standard prophylaxis given immediately after birth includes topical erythromycin, tetracycline, silver nitrate, or povidone-iodine Presentation occurs 2-7 days after birth or up to 21 days if erythromycin prophylaxis is given severe bilateral purulent conjunctivitis marked lid edema and chemosis Studies Gram stain neutrophils with gram-negative intracellular diplococci with gonococcal conjunctivitis PCR Treatment topical erythromycin IM ceftriaxone Complications peripheral corneal ulceration corneal perforation Chlamydial Conjunctivitis Presentation occurs 5-14 days after birth ranges from mild hyperemia to severe eyelid swelling, pseudomembrane formation, with watery discharge unilateral or bilateral Studies Gram stain neutrophils, lymphocytes, and plasma cells Giemsa stain basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Treatment oral erythromycin for 14 days systemic treatment needed given risk of pneumonia Complications pneumonia Herpetic Conjunctivitis Presentation occurs in first 2 weeks after birth periocular vesicles lid edema and moderate conjunctival injection Studies Gram stain multinucleated giant cells with herpetic conjunctivitis Giemsa stain eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions with herpetic conjunctivitis PCR Treatment systemic acyclovir for 14-21 days topical 1% trifluridine drops or 3% vidarabine ointment Complications corneal scarring and ulceration