Ophthalmia Neonatorum: A Chart Review

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Abstract
Cases of ophthalmia neonatorum diagnosed at Grady Memorial Hospital [Atlanta, Georgia, USA] 1967-1973 were reviewed. Of 302 cases 43 were diagnosed as gonococcal, 86 chlamydial, 3 gonococcal and chlamydial, 31 staphylococcal, and 5 chemical. AgNO3 prophylaxis was routinely employed. Gonococcal cases peaked during the 3rd quarter of the year and chlamydial during the 4th quarter. Gonococcal cases were associated with a longer duration of ruptured fetal membranes. Definitive etiologic diagnosis was not established on clinical grounds alone. Chlamydial ophthalmia was more common among black babies but other forms of ophthalmia were equally distributed with respect to race. The risk of gonococcal ophthalmia developing in an infant born to an infected mother was < 2% when Crede prophylaxis was used. Therapy with topically applied sulfonamides was effective against chlamydial ophthalmia. Therapy with parenterally administered penicillin and topically applied antibiotics was effective against gonococcal ophthalmia.

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