ophthalmia neonatorum

ophthalmia neo·na·to·rum -.nē-ə-nə-'tōr-əm n acute inflammation of the eyes of a newborn from infection during passage through the birth canal

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a form of conjunctivitis occurring in newborn infants, who contract the disease as they pass through an infected birth canal. The two most common infections are gonorrhoea and Chlamydia (see inclusion conjunctivitis); if untreated, the infection may cause permanent eye disease. Diagnosis should be confirmed on a culture swab, and treatment is with antibiotics for both baby and mother.

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any hyperacute purulent conjunctivitis occurring during the first ten days of life, usually contracted during birth from infected vaginal discharge of the mother; it formerly referred only to gonorrheal infections. An iatrogenic form sometimes occurs after administration of silver nitrate. Called also neonatal conjunctivitis.

Ophthalmia neonatorum in an infant with gonococcal infection.