Ophthalmia neonatorum: obstetric risk factors for disease occurrence

Abstract

Background: Ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, manifested in the neonatal period. The most common factors contributing to the occurrence of ON are pathogens that are transmitted from mother to newborn through the birth canal, maternal infection during pregnancy, inadequate ocular prophylaxis, susceptibility to infection of the newborn eye and ocular trauma during labour. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine obstetric risk factors for developing ON. Methods: The study was prospective and included all newborns of gestational age of 24 to 42 weeks, both genders, born in the period from 1 October 2011 to 1 October 2012 at the University Clinical Centre Tuzla, with signs of ON. The obstetric risk factors affecting the occurrence of ON were analyzed. Results: During the study period 206 newborns out of 4180 developed ON, with an incidence of 4.93%. The most important risk factors for ON during pregnancy and labour were colpitis (p 18 hours (p 18 hours, mother’s comorbidity and Apgar score at 5 minutes <7. Newborns of mothers with the mentioned risks require a somewhat different prophylaxis and should be closely monitored during the first month of life.