There are many causes attributed to neonatal conjunctivitis. Often, it is caused by a blocked tear duct or an irritation in the eye. It can also be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Some of the most common bacterial infections which are passed from the mother to the infant during birth include gonorrhoea and chlamydia. It can also be caused by normal bacteria that are passed from the mother to her baby during delivery. The most common viral infection is caused by the virus that causes oral and genital herpes.
The biggest risk factor for developing neonatal conjunctivitis is a maternal infection or STD that is passed from the mother to the baby at the time of birth. The mother may be not display any symptoms at the time of birth but may still transmit the infection.
There are four main causes of neonatal conjunctivitis which are outlined below:
Inclusion conjunctivitis: caused by the bacterium called chlamydia trachomatis, this is passed to the baby during childbirth.
Gonococcal conjunctivitis: caused by the neisseria gonorrhoea. A newborn can be infected with these bacteria during childbirth.
Chemical conjunctivitis: caused by eye drops which are given to newborns to help prevent a bacterial infection, the newborns eyes may become infected.
Other bacterial and viral conjunctivitis: bacteria that occur naturally in a woman’s vagina that are not sexually transmitted can cause neonatal conjunctivitis. The virus that also causes genital and oral herpes can also be transmitted to the baby during birth though this is less common that conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
Learn more about diagnosing neonatal conjunctivitis
