Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum Despite Treatment with Antibacterial Eyedrops

Abstract

Over a five-year period, 1964–8, 48 cases of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum were notified to the department of venereology in Glasgow. Thirty-seven babies were born in hospital and 11 at home. The conjunctivitis, usually recorded as a “sticky eye,” developed between 1 and 13 days of birth, 36 by the fourth day. Diagnosis by culture of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was delayed in some cases up to 30 days after the appearance of the signs for those born in hospital and 15 days for those born at home, usually because of the blind use of antibacterial eyedrops which produced temporary alleviation of the signs without eradicating the infection; chloramphenicol was noteworthy in this respect. A “sticky eye” will resolve without the use of antibacterial agents, ophthalmia neonatorum will not. When it is decided to use an antibacterial agent pretreatment conjunctival smears for immediate staining and swabs for culture should be taken and the case notified to the medical officer of health. Gonococcal ophthalmia is a preventable disease. In view of the obstetricians' already heavily committed clinical work. © 1971, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.