Neonatal Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Pathogenic Distribution / 대한주산의학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To study the causative microorganism of neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis and its correlation with maternal factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 neonates diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis and the records of mothers from January 2008 to July 2013. We investigated microbiologic culture of conjunctival discharge, time of occurrence, the mode of delivery, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), microbiologic culture of vaginal swab and the sensitivities to antibiotics. RESULTS: The most common organism was Staphylococcus epidermidis, isolated in 24 (36.4%) neonates, followed by other Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) 10 (15.2%), E. cloacae 6 (9.1%), S. marsescens 6 (9.1%), and P. aeruginosa 5 (7.6%). Concerning the time of occurrence, 23 (41.8%) were founded with conjunctivitis within 1 week of life. By mode of delivery, 18 (32.7%) were delivered through vaginal route and 37 (67.3%) delivered by Cesarean section. The most common organism grown in conjunctival discharge of both group was S. epidermidis. Of these 55 neonates' mothers, 9 (16.4%) had history of PROM. Regardless of the presence of PROM, the most common organism was S. epidermidis. A total of 22 (40.0%) microbiologic culture of vaginal swab were examined and 6 (27.2%) of them had detected organisms. The results of vaginal swabs were in discord with results of conjunctival swabs of neonates. CONCLUSION: S. epidermidis was the most common infectious organism of neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis. We could not identify the correlation between neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis and maternal factors. Further comprehensive studies are needed to investigate the risk factors related to bacterial conjunctivitis of neonates.