title: Ophthalmia neonatorum in northern Norway. I: Epidemiology and risk factors.
abstract: During one year, 1928 of all 1958 neonates born in the county of Troms in Northern Norway were followed until 6 weeks of age, regarding the development of ophthalmia neonatorum. Conjunctivitis was found in 364 cases (189 per 1000 neonates), including mild and self-limiting cases. In 14.5 cases per 1000 neonates the ophthalmia neonatorum was recorded as severe. Boys were more often affected than girls (P = 0.001). The age of the mother and obstetric events did not significantly influence the occurrence of conjunctivitis. 31.4% of the neonates received silver nitrate instillation. The frequency of conjunctivitis in the group with and without prophylaxis was 15.9 and 20.3%, respectively (P = 0.023). The incidence of chlamydial ophthalmia was 8 per 1000 neonates. At present, chlamydial ophthalmia is a common disease in neonates. Efforts should be made to screen fertile women for chlamydial genital infection and to encourage prompt microbiological examination in cases of ophthalmia neonatorum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dannevig
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Straume
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Melby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009878:Ophthalmia Neonatorum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012835:Silver Nitrate