Neonatal Conjunctivitis: Types, Signs, Causes, Risk & Prevention

What is Neonatal Conjunctivitis?

Neonatal conjunctivitis, also known as ophthalmia neonatorum, is an eye condition affecting newborns.  Conjunctivitis in babies is on a rapid rise this monsoon, and as a parent to a newborn or a toddler, you are right to be worried about your little one’s eye health. This eye condition can be equally painful for the babies and scary for the parents and caregivers. It is an infection of the conjunctiva, the membrane that surrounds the eyelids and eyeballs. While most pink eye symptoms in babies go away within 1 or 2 weeks, in some instances, the condition may worsen, and your baby might have other health complications along with teary, neon-pink eyes, constant itchiness and temper tantrums. 

Common Types of Neonatal Conjunctivitis and Their Characteristics

You will be able to help your newborn or toddler with conjunctivitis newborn symptoms only when you recognise the symptoms on time. Your paediatric ophthalmologist can help gauge the type of newborn conjunctivitis by analysing the symptoms.

Mentioned below are few major types of Pink Eye in babies:

Inclusion (Chlamydial) Conjunctivitis

Chlamydia bacteria are known to predominantly cause inclusion conjunctivitis and genital infections in newborns and toddlers.

• Cause: Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which also leads to genital infections (chlamydia).
• Transmission: Passed from an untreated infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
• Symptoms:
1. Redness of the eye(s)
2. Swelling of the eyelids
3. Pus discharge
• Onset: Typically appears 5 to 12 days after birth, but can manifest earlier if the amniotic sac ruptures during delivery.
• Additional Impact: Some infants may have the infection in other body parts, such as the lungs and nasopharynx.

Gonococcal Conjunctivitis

• Cause: Result of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea.
• Transmission: Passed from an untreated infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
• Symptoms:
1. Red eyes
2. Thick pus accumulation in the eyes
3. Swelling of the eyelids
• Onset: Typically emerges within the first 2 to 5 days of life.
• Potential Complications: Can progress to serious infections like bacteremia and meningitis in newborns.

Chemical Conjunctivitis

• Cause: Triggered by irritation due to application of eye drops given to newborns for preventing bacterial infection.
• Symptoms:
1. Mild redness of the eye(s)
2. Eyelid swelling
• Duration: Symptoms usually resolve within 24 to 36 hours without lasting effects.

Other Neonatal Conjunctivitis

• Cause: Caused by various viruses and bacteria aside from Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Transmission: Viruses can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth.
• Symptoms: 
1. Include red eyes
2. Swollen eyelids
3. Pus formation

Symptoms of Pink Eye in Babies

Though the pink eye is a common eye infectious condition, not all babies are susceptible to it, and your baby might just be the lucky one. Only 2% of newborns are reported to develop conjunctivitis during their first few weeks of life. However, toddlers are more prone to develop this condition as they keep rubbing their eyes involuntarily, and the germs and irritants on their skin and hands can transfer to the eyes and cause conjunctivitis in toddlers.  

As a parent or caregiver, it is important that you watch out for any warning signs or prevailing symptoms of conjunctivitis in newborns and toddlers. Your baby is not going to have a swollen eyelid, watery discharges and a neon-pink-shaded eyeball overnight. The symptoms are usually evident in the early stages.