title: Differential diagnosis of pediatric conjunctivitis (red eye).
abstract: Because eye injuries and diseases may potentially result in serious vision impairments, accurate diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic conditions are imperative. A symptom common to eye impairments is conjunctivitis, or red eye, a commonly seen manifestation in an ambulatory pediatric population. Because conjunctivitis is caused by various etiologies, clinicians must derive a differential diagnosis. This article examines possible causes of conjunctivitis after the neonatal period in this population. Differential diagnosis is dependent on a complete history, distinct physical findings, and use of adjunct diagnostic tests. Treatment, which depends on a sound differential diagnosis, should be targeted according to the cause of the problem.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas, Houston Health Science Center, School of Nursing, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ruppert
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant