title: Ophthalmia neonatorum in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: Ophthalmia neonatorum in small babies is a common problem in neonatal units in Al Ain, but is infrequently associated with sexually transmitted disease agents. A study of 81 babies with ophthalmia neonatorum showed that 81.5% had bacterial or fungal infections. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest causative organism followed by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were responsible for less than 5% of all cases. The disease was predominantly mild to moderately severe and easily treated with topical broad-spectrum antibiotic agents which are effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including hospital-associated strains. The most effective antimicrobial agents were gentamicin topically or ceftriaxone systemically.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of the United Arab Emirates, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nsanze
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawodu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usmani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sabarinathan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varady
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009878:Ophthalmia Neonatorum / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D005839:Gentamicins; D002443:Ceftriaxone