Peer-reviewed article
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Microbial Spectrum of Ophthalmia Neonatorum: A Cross-Sectional Study From Central India.
Pandey P, Soni S, Pal V ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined ophthalmia neonatorum (eye inflammation in newborns) at a hospital in central India, finding it affected 3 out of every 100 newborns. The main risk factors were delivery outside a hospital, prolonged rupture of membranes, and fewer than three antenatal care visits. The most common bacterial cause was Staphylococcus aureus, though no babies developed blindness. Strengthening antenatal care and promoting hospital deliveries could reduce this condition.
Key points
- Prevalence of ophthalmia neonatorum was 3.02% (74 cases among 2,450 neonates)
- Out-of-hospital delivery was the strongest risk factor (OR 6.28)
- Prolonged rupture of membranes increased risk 4.56 times
- Inadequate antenatal care (fewer than three visits) increased risk 3.08 times
- Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism (29.7%), with no severe complications or blindness reported
Limitations
This is a hospital-based study, so it only captured cases seen at a tertiary care facility and may not represent community prevalence or outcomes. The study does not evaluate any intervention, only documents existing patterns of disease.
Abstract
Background Ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) is an acute conjunctival inflammation in neonates that may result in serious complications. Despite advances in intranatal and postnatal care practices, ON remains a significant health concern in several low- and middle-income countries. Aim The main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, associated risk factors, and causative organisms of ON in neonates at a tertiary care hospital in central India. Methods A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted over 24 months. Medical records of 2,682 neonates were reviewed; 2,450 neonates met the inclusion criteria. ON was defined clinically by conjunctival redness, eyelid swelling, or purulent discharge within 28 days of birth. Results Among the 2,450 neonates whose medical records were included in the study, 74 cases of ON were identified, yielding a prevalence of 3.02%. None of the affected neonates developed serious complications or blindness. The strongest predictors of ON included prolonged rupture of membranes (OR 4.56, p < 0.001), out-of-hospital delivery (OR 6.28, p < 0.001), neonatal intubation (OR 4.78, p < 0.001), and inadequate antenatal visits (fewer than three) (OR 3.08, p < 0.001). Other factors, such as prolonged labour, neonatal resuscitation, and use of orogastric feeding tubes, also showed significant associations. The most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (29.7%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (16.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.5%), Escherichia coli (6.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.1%), and Chlamydia trachomatis (8.1%). About 21.6% of the samples showed no bacterial growth, suggesting either viral causes or self-limiting infections. Conclusions ON remains a notable neonatal morbidity in central India. Strengthening antenatal care, promoting institutional deliveries, and enforcing strict infection-control practices during neonatal interventions are essential to reduce the burden of ON.