Conjunctivitis in a newborn: how to treat it. Symptoms of conjunctivitis in infants and children under one year of age, methods of treating the disease Purulent conjunctivitis in a newborn, how to treat it

The disease occurs quite often, and even in infants. Watery eyes, redness, itching and burning appear. This type of inflammation is caused by a virus. Conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral and chlamydial.

Allergic

In the first case, inflammation of the connective membrane of the eyes occurs. When the child wakes up, his eyelids may appear glued together. The baby reaches out to his eyes and scratches them. There is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which occurs during the flowering of allergy-causing plants and shrubs. What else can trigger the occurrence? Animal hair, a number of foods and medications, and ordinary dust are strong allergens. Year-round inflammation is expressed by chronic runny nose and bronchial asthma. The viral type of disease occurs as a result of pneumonia and tonsillitis.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis cannot appear in an infant. Adults are susceptible to it. And they may suffer from allergic, viral and bacterial types of illness. By the way, they get sick quite often. But how and where can a baby become infected before he has had time to interact with the environment, since he has just been born? It turns out that bacteria can enter a child’s body through the birth canal.

Reasons

The procedure is simple. Using a gauze swab dipped in a decoction of chamomile, sage and nettle, wipe the eyes after two hours. The direction is from the outer corner to the inner one. This way, pus and dried crusts are perfectly removed from the baby’s eyes. Do not wipe with cotton wool to avoid getting fibers into the child’s eyes.

Aloe juice and tea

We should not forget about folk remedies. Aloe juice is used for this purpose: to do this, you need to squeeze the juice from the leaves of the plant, dilute it with water: one part to ten. Apply drops into each eye three times a day.

Black tea is an excellent well-known drink that relieves eye inflammation. Brew strong tea and apply compresses to both eyes. This will speed up the cleansing of your eyes.

Furacilin solution will help remove pus discharge. The preferred medications are chloramphenicol drops and tetracycline eye ointment.

Purulent

Purulent conjunctivitis occurs due to infection. Bacteria enter the eyes due to dirty hands and dust. The eyelids become heavy, the eyes feel pain and severe itching. The child may develop photophobia.

Purulent conjunctivitis in newborns occurs due to decreased immunity of the baby, the birth of premature babies, and birth from mothers who use alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, unfortunately, there is unsanitary conditions in hospitals for women in labor.

Among the preventive measures, one very important one can be mentioned: proper treatment of infants’ eyes.

Spicy

Acute conjunctivitis occurs with a sensation of pain and redness. Mucus and pus also begin to appear. Acute conjunctivitis is accompanied by general malaise, headache and fever. A constant burning sensation and sensation of a foreign object in the eye are present in this form of the disease.

Young mothers are tormented by the question: if conjunctivitis is discovered in their baby, is it possible to walk with him on the street? Of course, it is possible if the child does not have a fever or runny nose.

Conjunctivitis in infants can occur along with a cold and goes away on its own after seven days. In adults, this period lasts longer.

Prevention

Prevention of conjunctivitis in infants involves following hygiene procedures. Eye disease is a serious illness, especially conjunctivitis in infants. How to treat if the baby became infected during childbirth, and inflammation begins almost immediately from the moment of birth? The baby cannot open his eyes, the eyelids are swollen, the conjunctiva is red, and purulent mucus is secreted. It should be washed with special solutions that have a disinfecting effect. You also need to apply drops and anesthetics. Treatment should not be abandoned; it should be continued until complete recovery.

Fever often accompanies conjunctivitis. This symptom indicates the presence of pathogens in the baby’s body. The temperature lasts for about three days. It is imperative to consult a doctor.

Treatment

If a child has conjunctivitis, E. O. Komarovsky recommends giving him the safe drug “Suprastin”. It can be used by babies from the first days of life.

We have figured out what conjunctivitis is, Komarovsky gives some useful recommendations on this matter: it is better for a baby with the disease not to walk on public playgrounds, not to visit crowded places, so as not to add another infection.

There are different types of conjunctivitis. Drops are selected according to the purpose and type of disease.

The bacterial species is treated with drops of Tobrex, Levomycetin and Tsipromed. For a viral type of conjunctivitis, the drug Ciprofloxan is used.

The most important thing to remember is that it is very difficult to cure such a disease in a newborn baby. And if it so happens that the baby does get sick, there is no need to reproach yourself and assume that all the blame falls on the mother. This is possible even with the most careful care. It is important to know exactly how to treat the baby.

If the disease is not treated correctly, serious consequences cannot be ruled out: a chronic form may develop, which will affect visual acuity.

You should not abuse folk remedies, such as washing with baking soda, compresses from dairy products, using castor oil instead of eye drops, applying grated potatoes and black bread.

It should be remembered that in children born prematurely, complications such as meningitis, sepsis and otitis media may develop as a result of conjunctivitis. You should not relax and consider inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes to be a harmless, easily passing disease.

Every mother wants to see her baby strong and healthy. And the foundation of a child’s health is laid in the first years of his life. Immunity is developed and strengthened, physical and mental qualities develop, and the baby acquires useful communication skills and creative imagination. I wouldn’t want one disease to cancel out all of the above.

It is impossible to completely protect a child from communication with other children and adults. And maybe even with those who are already sick. But a mother must remember that her son or daughter must be treated with great attention, since any disease is easier to prevent or cure at the very first stage than to treat an already advanced variant. Another rule: do not overdo it with folk remedies. And in everything you need to consult with your doctor.

Conclusion

To summarize, it must be said that conjunctivitis is the most common disease of newborns. And for young, inexperienced parents, any ailment of their first-born can cause a state of panic. Take your time, find out the causes of purulent discharge from the eyes, consult a pediatrician - these are the first steps for parents if you suspect conjunctivitis. Any condition of the mother is passed on to her child. This connection is invisible. If the mother panics and worries, the baby will become restless and whiny. And any anxiety and irritability have a bad effect on the healing process. A good mood and belief in the best have always had a positive effect in the treatment of any disease.

Conjunctivitis is an ophthalmological disease characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye (conjunctiva). This disease is often diagnosed in newborns. It manifests itself as redness of the eyes, excessive secretion of tear fluid, photophobia, and purulent discharge. The baby's eyes become swollen, his eyelids stick together, he becomes restless and capricious.

Children are most often diagnosed with conjunctivitis of bacterial, viral and allergic origin. Symptoms and treatment differ for different types of the disease. It is important to correctly differentiate conjunctivitis and carry out proper treatment.

Types of conjunctivitis

Depending on the origin, the following types of disease are distinguished:

Bacterial conjunctivitis is a disease that occurs as a result of penetration of staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci and other bacteria into the mucous membrane of the eye.
Viral - the inflammatory process is provoked by herpes viruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, etc.
Allergic – the disease is provoked by various allergens (plant pollen, chemicals, medications, animal dander, etc.).

In addition, conjunctivitis in infants is caused by fungi, chlamydia, and autoimmune processes.

Causes of the disease

Even if the mother maintains personal hygiene and carefully cares for the newborn, the risk of inflammation still exists. The causes of illness in a child can be different; an experienced doctor will help determine them.

Conjunctivitis in newborns occurs for the following reasons:

Weakened immune system.
Infection during childbirth. While passing through the birth canal, the child contracted gonococci or chlamydia, which actively infect the conjunctiva.
The disease is caused by a variety of bacteria that live in the mother's body.
Genital or oral herpes, which the mother suffers from, also provokes conjunctivitis in infants.
The woman does not observe the rules of personal hygiene or does not keep the child’s body clean.
A foreign body or contamination has entered the newborn's eye.
The conjunctival membrane has become infected with pathogenic microorganisms (viruses, bacteria).
Infectious diseases of viral origin also often provoke conjunctivitis.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes occurs as a reaction to various allergens.
Blockage of the tear duct.

To protect the baby from conjunctivitis, the mother should take into account those factors that depend on her. We are talking, first of all, about maintaining cleanliness and treating infectious diseases before pregnancy.

Clinical picture

During the first time after birth, the baby's tear ducts are still developing, which means that they do not allow tear fluid to pass through. That is why any discharge from the eyes may indicate the development of conjunctivitis. To confirm or refute this diagnosis, you should visit a doctor.

Specific signs of inflammation of the conjunctival membrane in infants:

Secretion of tear fluid. A clear fluid discharges from the newborn's eyes.
Redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes. This symptom indicates the development of an inflammatory reaction on the conjunctival membrane and eyeball. In most cases, the outer surface of the eyelid also turns red.
Photophobia. The child has painful eye sensitivity to light. When a light source appears, the baby turns away or closes his eyes.
The appearance of purulent discharge. After sleep, the child’s eyelids stick together, and throughout the day, pus is released from the eyes.

It is difficult to detect conjunctivitis in a newborn in the early stages, because he cannot describe what he feels.

After identifying at least one symptom, you should visit a doctor who will help differentiate the disease and prescribe a treatment regimen. This is necessary, since not all mothers know how different types of conjunctivitis manifest themselves:

Bacterial - abundant mucous discharge is observed. With this type of disease, both eyes are affected. It is also possible that the infection affects one eye and then spreads to the second. The lower eyelid swells, the eyes turn red, and the baby reacts painfully to light. There is a yellowish-green discharge from the eyes, there is itching and burning.
Viral inflammation of the conjunctiva is easily recognized by photophobia, discharge of purulent fluid from the eyes. Most often one eye is affected. With herpes infection, the disease lasts a long time, blisters appear on the eyelids, and tear fluid is released. If the cause of the disease is adenovirus, then in addition to the symptoms of conjunctivitis, signs of a cold are observed.
Allergic conjunctivitis is manifested by severe swelling of the eyelids, redness of the mucous membrane, itching, burning in response to the allergen. Clear fluid is discharged from the eyes. Both eyes are affected.

Fungal inflammation of the conjunctiva is accompanied by severe itching, tearing, the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, and a painful reaction to light. The discharge is purulent-transparent with white crumbs.

If you notice at least one of the symptoms, go to the doctor, who will determine the nature of the disease and draw up a treatment plan.

Treatment of conjunctivitis

Treatment of the disease depends on its type. Bacteriological examination will help identify the type of pathogen. To do this, a smear is taken from the mucous membrane, which is then studied in the laboratory.

It is necessary to consult a doctor, as patients in the younger age group are susceptible to the rapid spread of infection. Proper treatment in the early stages of the disease guarantees a quick recovery and no complications.

Many mothers wonder what to do if their baby has bacterial conjunctivitis. As part of complex therapy, local antibiotics are used in the form of eye drops and ointments. Medicines are applied to previously cleansed eyes.

To clean the eyelids, use cotton or gauze swabs soaked in a weak antiseptic solution () or herbal decoction. You can prepare an infusion from chamomile, sage, nettle and other anti-inflammatory herbs. Rub the eyes from the outer corner to the inner.

After removing the purulent crusts, the conjunctival cavity is treated with ointment or drops. The frequency of use of the drug depends on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. During the acute period, the eyes are treated 6 to 8 times in 24 hours, and during the period
relief - from 3 to 4 times.

It is recommended to place the ointment in the conjunctival sac before going to bed. The average duration of the therapeutic course ranges from 1 week to 10 days. If the doctor has prescribed several medications at once, then the interval between their use is 5 minutes or more.

Acute conjunctivitis (gonoblenorrhea), caused by gonococcus, is one of the most dangerous ophthalmological diseases. It is manifested by severe swelling, redness, and purulent-bloody discharge. You can cure gonnoblenorrhea at home. To do this, the eyes are washed generously with antiseptic solutions several times a day.

In addition, it is recommended to use keratoplasty agents that accelerate the healing and regeneration of damaged eye mucosa (Solcoseryl, sea buckthorn oil, etc.). Antibiotics are used in the form of ointment and solution for injection.

To eliminate conjunctivitis of viral origin in children, antiviral drugs are used in the form of ointments and drops. For secondary infections, antibiotics are used. It is important to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations, only then the disease will go away.

To get rid of conjunctivitis of allergic origin, you must first cure the allergy. To do this, you should identify the allergen and limit the child’s contact with it. To relieve unpleasant symptoms, use anti-allergy eye drops.

If conjunctivitis in a newborn does not go away, consult a doctor. You may be using the wrong medications. In this case, it is recommended to conduct a repeated bacteriological study.

Preventive measures

Preventing the disease is always easier than treating conjunctivitis in a newborn. To protect the baby from an unpleasant disease, the mother must follow the following rules:

Maintain personal hygiene and keep the baby's body clean.
Keep bedding, baby's toys and the entire nursery clean.
Try to wash your newborn's hands often, and teach your child to wash his hands on his own as he grows up.
Ventilate the room, use it to improve the microclimate of the room.
Include foods rich in vitamins and minerals in your child's daily diet.
Make sure your children eat only clean foods.
Provide your baby with an individual towel that only he or she will use.
Take walks in the fresh air every day for a total duration of at least 4 hours.
Do not allow your baby to come into contact with sick children.

By following these rules, you will protect your newborn not only from conjunctivitis, but also from many other diseases.

To ensure successful treatment of conjunctivitis in infants, follow these rules:

Before a doctor makes a diagnosis, it is prohibited to use medications. But, as a last resort, a single use of eye drops is allowed (for viral or bacterial inflammation of the conjunctiva). If allergic conjunctivitis is suspected, an antihistamine is used in the form of a suspension or tablets.
It is recommended to rinse the eyes from purulent crusts every 2 hours.
If one eye is affected, both eyes are treated with an antiseptic solution, as the infection spreads quickly. A new swab is used for each eye.
It is forbidden to wear a bandage over a sore eye. Otherwise, the likelihood of further development of pathogens and injury to the inflamed eyelid increases.
To treat conjunctivitis in infants, Albucid (10%) is used, and for older patients - in the form of a solution, Vitabact, Eubital. Antiseptic drops are used at intervals of 3 hours. Erythromycin and tetracycline ointments are also used to eliminate inflammation.

Thus, conjunctivitis in a newborn is a serious illness that requires a responsible approach to treatment. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, contact your doctor, who will identify the pathogen and prescribe adequate treatment. Self-treatment can have dangerous consequences for the baby.

Conjunctivitis in newborns and infants in the first year of life is a problem that more than 15% of young mothers face. The pathology itself does not pose a great threat to the health, much less the life of the baby. But the disease is accompanied by extremely unpleasant symptoms for the child; the baby becomes capricious, whiny, eats and sleeps poorly. In addition, there is a risk of complications.

Conjunctivitis in an infant is often confused with dacryocystitis, a disease in which an infant’s lacrimal sac becomes inflamed, or a banal blockage of the lacrimal duct. The pathologies are similar in manifestations, but still have differences and require completely different approaches to treatment. If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and make the correct diagnosis, curing conjunctivitis will not be difficult in a few days. But for this it is necessary that parents know the characteristic symptoms of the pathology, be able to recognize it in time and take appropriate measures.

What is it

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye mucosa caused by chemical irritants or pathogenic microorganisms. To correctly determine how to treat conjunctivitis in infants, it is important to establish the cause of its origin. The causative agents of the disease can be either bacteria or viruses. Accordingly, conjunctivitis is distinguished:

bacterial;
viral.

Recently, allergic conjunctivitis has become increasingly common, developing against the background of seasonal allergies in a child or under the influence of histamines. In this case, anything can act as histamine: food, medications, household chemicals, and even house dust.

The photo shows what purulent conjunctivitis looks like in a baby under one year of age

But the most common is the bacterial form of the disease. Depending on the type of pathogenic microorganisms, the following subtypes of bacterial conjunctivitis are distinguished:

staphylococcal;
pneumococcal;
gonococcal;
chlamydial.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is often called purulent, since the disease is accompanied by copious purulent discharge, souring of the eyes and sticking of the eyelids. Such manifestations of the disease frighten parents, but treatment of this form is much faster, easier than viral, and without serious consequences.

Viral conjunctivitis in an infant develops and proceeds, at first glance, more easily, there is no purulent discharge. But often this form of the disease, if not treated promptly and completely, leads to serious complications. In this case, not only the eyes can suffer if the viral infection spreads throughout the body. The greatest danger is that the systems and internal organs of the baby are not yet fully formed; the introduction of the virus can disrupt the process of their full development and cause various dysfunctions and irreversible changes.

That is why it is important for parents to know the symptoms of various forms of mucosal inflammation in a newborn, to be able to recognize it in time, consult a doctor and begin adequate treatment.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose conjunctivitis in children under one year of age, since numerous ophthalmological pathologies have similar symptoms. Nevertheless, there are certain signs by which parents may suspect this particular disease and consult a doctor for help.

Conjunctivitis caused by bacteria can be recognized by the following symptoms:

severe redness and irritation of the mucous membrane;
swelling of the eyelids;
purulent discharge from the eyes.

During the daytime, pus is washed off with tears or removed by washing. But during the night it accumulates, dries out, and the resulting crusts stick together the eyelids. In severe cases, the child cannot open his eyes on his own after sleep.

The viral form of the disease, like the allergic one, is manifested by lacrimation and swelling of the eyes without purulent discharge, but it is more difficult to treat than the bacterial one

Viral conjunctivitis manifests itself as follows:

intense lacrimation;
redness of the mucous membrane of the eyes and eyelids;
swelling (can be recognized in a one-year-old child and older children, since a newborn’s eyes themselves seem swollen);
the surface of the eyeball is often covered with a whitish film;
First, one eye becomes inflamed, then the infection spreads to the second.

Viral conjunctivitis is also often accompanied by an increase in body temperature; children over two years old can quite clearly explain what is bothering them. As a rule, these are headaches, weakness, malaise, aching joints, lack of appetite - that is, typical symptoms of ARVI, which is the cause of viral conjunctivitis.

Important: Even if the parents are experienced, have already encountered purulent inflammation of the conjunctiva in children and, in principle, know what to do, you still need to see a doctor. Each child is individual, this time the pathogen may be completely different, which means that different therapy will be needed. In addition, to treat children at 5 months, for example, or at 2 years, various drugs are used in different dosages. Self-medication can lead to serious complications in a child, so it is better not to take risks and not rely solely on your own experience.

Routes of infection and causes of development

It is believed that if the disease in infants is not congenital, the cause of all troubles is insufficient care and non-compliance with hygiene rules. However, in this case this is not entirely true. Even the cleanest baby living in ideal sanitary conditions can get conjunctivitis.

A pregnant woman must be treated for all gynecological and sexually transmitted diseases before giving birth in order to minimize the risk of infection of the baby

The main causes of the disease are as follows:

Weak immunity. In all newborns, without exception, the immune system does not work at full strength; without proper supervision, it is easy for a baby to catch any infection. If, in addition, the child suffered an infectious disease of the nasopharynx or other organs, was born prematurely or with low weight, or is malnourished, the risk increases several times.
Infectious diseases of the mother. Bacterial conjunctivitis, caused by chlamydia or gonococcus, in most cases passes to the baby from the mother during the birth canal.
Getting into the eyes of dust, sand, chemical fumes and other irritants that can provoke an inflammatory process.
Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules.
Acute viral infections of the nasopharynx. Very rarely, viral conjunctivitis develops in isolation; as a rule, these are complications of adenovirus infection, influenza, etc.

Even the most experienced and caring mother will not be able to provide for absolutely everything and protect her baby 100% from all diseases. But nevertheless, she has a lot in her hands. A pregnant woman must have all diseases treated before giving birth. And after the birth of a child, do not be lazy and take care of him regularly.

Treatment methods

Conjunctivitis in a child, like in an adult, can be cured at home in a few days, but only if all the recommendations of the attending physician are followed from the start of the course of treatment until complete recovery. It should be understood that the child’s body is not yet fully formed, the baby’s immunity is not strong, and the slightest omission on the part of the parents can result in serious complications.

Regular rinsing is the main method of treating conjunctivitis of all forms in infants.

Ideally, at the first suspicious symptoms, you should visit an eye doctor. If this is not possible, washing the baby's eyes will help alleviate the condition. You can use the pharmaceutical antiseptic drug Furacilin or decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, calendula, sage. The rinsing solution should be made weak, and the procedure itself should be carried out every two hours during the day and once or twice at night, when the baby wakes up for feedings.

Some sources recommend instilling Levomycetin in your eyes or applying Tetracycline ointment before the doctor arrives. Indeed, these antibacterial drugs are widely used in the treatment of conjunctivitis caused by pathogenic microflora. But at the same time, they have a number of contraindications and are prescribed to newborns and infants only if, for some reason, more modern and gentle drugs are not suitable. Therefore, it is not recommended to start using them on your own, without the approval of a doctor, especially if the baby is not yet 2 months old.

One of the safest and most effective methods of treating conjunctivitis in newborns is massage of the nasolacrimal duct. Every mother, even the youngest and most inexperienced, can learn to do it on her own at home, the main thing is caution, attention and love.

How to properly wash your eyes

It is with this procedure that effective treatment of conjunctivitis in young children begins. Under no circumstances should antibacterial drugs be administered unless the eyes are first cleared of secretions and disinfected. To do this, you must first prepare an antiseptic solution. If there is nothing at hand, then you can wash the baby’s eyes with ordinary boiled water, the main thing is not to ignore this procedure and remove the crusts and pus several times a day. But the treatment will be more effective and recovery will come faster if you use Furacilin.

In pharmacies it is usually sold in tablets and is quite inexpensive. One package is enough for a full course of treatment.

The solution is prepared as follows:

Remove the drug tablet from the package and thoroughly crush it into powder. The better this is done, the faster Furacilin will dissolve in water.
Pour the powder into a sterilized container, add 100 ml of boiled water at a temperature of about 38 degrees, but not higher.
Stir and leave for half an hour until the powder is completely dissolved. You should get a yellow liquid.
Furacilin always leaves a residue. To prevent small particles of the drug from injuring the baby’s eyes, before washing, the resulting solution is filtered through a sterile bandage folded in several layers.

The solution cannot be stored for long without refrigeration; it should be used within one day. In the refrigerator, you can store Furacilin solution in a sterile, tightly closed container for up to two weeks. But it’s better not to be lazy to prepare fresh medicine every day.

Chamomile is an excellent natural antiseptic; a decoction of the medicinal plant can be safely used to treat sore eyes in infants

Direct rinsing is performed using a cotton sponge, it is moistened in the prepared solution, lightly squeezed and carefully remove crusts and pus, moving in the direction from the inner corner of the eyes to the outer. One sponge is used once for one eye, for the second eye you should take a clean cotton pad. Rinsing with tea leaves or a decoction of medicinal plants is performed in a similar manner. The main thing to remember is three rules:

the temperature of the liquid should not be higher than 38 degrees;
decoctions and infusions must be carefully filtered so that not a single blade of grass or grain remains in them;
Wash solutions do not store for long; ideally, prepare fresh ones every day.

Useful information: In pharmacies you can buy a ready-made furatsilin solution for rinsing. If preference is given to medicinal plants, then the infusion is prepared very simply. A small spoon of dry collection or fresh herb is poured with a glass of boiling water, covered tightly and left for two to three hours. Then the product is filtered - the medicine for the baby against conjunctivitis is ready!

How to apply ointment

If the doctor considers it necessary to prescribe Tetracycline or any other antibacterial ointment, place it behind the lower eyelid 10–15 minutes after rinsing. This is done like this:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
Place the baby on a changing table or bed so that he cannot roll off.
Open the tube of ointment and squeeze the required amount onto the finger of your right hand.
Using the fingers of your left hand, pull down the lower eyelid and gently introduce the ointment.
Repeat the procedure with the second eye.

Tetracycline ointment is a traditional remedy for conjunctivitis, but it is strictly not recommended for use on infants without the approval of a doctor.

Important! You should not add more ointment than the doctor recommends to speed up recovery. This will not happen anyway, but it can provoke unwanted side effects and allergic reactions.

How to massage

With purulent conjunctivitis, copious discharge can clog the nasolacrimal duct. This increases discomfort for the baby and delays treatment. In this case, massage of the nasolacrimal duct will help. Ideally, the pediatric nurse will show you how to do it correctly. But, in fact, this is a completely simple process that you can teach yourself. The main thing here, again, is accuracy and attention.

First, the baby's eyes should be washed with Furacilin to remove all crusts and accumulations of pus under the eyelids.
Next, the tips of the index fingers are placed in the corners of the child’s eyes.
With vibrating, lightly pressing movements, the fingers move down to the wings of the spout.

Regular massage of the nasolacrimal duct will help to quickly cure purulent conjunctivitis and prevent complications

At least ten such passes should be made. If the doctor has prescribed antibacterial drops or ointments, they are administered after the massage.

What medications can the doctor prescribe?

Treatment of newborns, and not only for conjunctivitis, is always complicated by the fact that most drugs cannot be used due to a long list of possible side effects. The doctor selects the most gentle medications of the latest generations with a minimum of side effects, and it is equally important to correctly determine the dosage.

If we are talking about conjunctivitis in newborns, then these will be eye drops and ointments with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The following medications have proven themselves to be the best:

Albucid - the medicine is administered 1-2 drops after washing into each eye up to 8 times in the first two days of the disease, then as the condition improves, reduce the number of instillations to 4 times a day.
Vitabact - these drops must be used for at least 7 days, but no more than 10, the drug is administered one drop up to 4 times a day.
Ophthalmoferon - also has an antiviral effect; in the first days of the disease, one drop is administered every two hours, then the number of instillations is gradually reduced to 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment lasts until the symptoms disappear completely.
Tobrex is an antibacterial eye ointment; it is enough to apply it once a day for ten days.
Tetracycline ointment is a traditional drug against eye inflammation, which is approved for use in pediatrics. The ointment is applied two to three times a day after washing, alternating with instillations. The course of treatment lasts up to two weeks.

If the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor does not produce positive results within two to three days, you should contact your ophthalmologist again and adjust it. With the right approach, the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis completely go away in 5–7 days, viral conjunctivitis – 7–10 days. During this period, it is important to especially carefully monitor the baby’s hygiene, and after recovery, remember about preventive measures.

Summary: Conjunctivitis in infants is a common ophthalmological pathology, not the most dangerous, but capable of causing serious complications without proper treatment. It is quite possible to get rid of the disease in a few days if you strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations. Otherwise, treatment may take several weeks or the disease will recur again and again. The main method of treatment is washing the eyes with antiseptic solutions. In severe cases, the doctor prescribes local and systemic antibiotics. If parents want their baby to smile again as soon as possible and look at the world with clean and clear eyes, they will be patient and will follow all the doctor’s instructions without deviation.

Conjunctivitis in a newborn child under one year of age is not uncommon and can lead to unpleasant complications, but with timely treatment, in most cases the disease can be dealt with easily and quickly. Therefore, parents should know in advance what to do, how to recognize and treat such eye damage in a child.

This common disease can develop in a person at any age, including shortly after the birth of a baby, in a month-old and a one-year-old child. In this article we will look at why this happens and how to deal with the disease.

The term “conjunctivitis” refers to a group of diseases in which a specific eye lesion develops: this is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. This mucous membrane is called the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis in a baby can develop even in the first days after birth - this may be due to infection during childbirth and some other factors.

Types of disease in infants

Conjunctivitis in an infant can be of several types, which differ in the underlying cause of the condition. There are three main types:

Most often, a newborn develops a viral or bacterial form of the disease. In the first case, the condition is caused by specific viruses entering the child’s eyes, and in the second, by bacteria. Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by allergens: pollen, animals, dust. The form of the disease varies depending on what is causing it.

If conjunctivitis in an infant occurs shortly after birth, it is referred to as congenital conjunctivitis. This happens if the child becomes infected during childbirth. In this case, it appears within a few days.

Causes of the disease

The most common causes of conjunctivitis in infants under one year of age:

Infection in the eyes during childbirth if the mother is infected with chlamydial, gonococcal or other infection.
Reduced immunity, which in a newborn is not yet formed and is easily susceptible to infection.
Getting dirt into your eyes due to poor hygiene or by accident.
The mother is infected with herpes.
There is a high concentration of an allergen in the room to which the child has developed sensitivity.

Bacteria and viruses that cause conjunctivitis easily provoke the disease in a newborn, since the immune system is still imperfect and cannot repel an attack of infection.

Main signs and diagnosis

It is not difficult to recognize conjunctivitis in a newborn, since eye damage is quite obvious. However, depending on the cause that caused the disease, it has different distinctive features. The doctor uses them to make a diagnosis. For example, in newborns it causes a bacterial infection.

Signs of bacterial conjunctivitis:

profuse purulent discharge appears;
eyelids swell;
the eyelids begin to stick together, after sleep the eyes do not open or open with difficulty;
At first, one eye is affected, the second may not be affected at first.

Symptoms of viral conjunctivitis in infants include:

in most cases accompanies ARVI;
the discharge is copious, but transparent, without pus;
the infection affects both eyes at once or quickly spreads to the second;
enlarged lymph nodes;
the swelling is not severe.

The allergic form is manifested by the following symptoms:

the discharge is light, similar to mucus;
pronounced swelling of the eyelids;
severe itching, the baby tries to rub his eyes, shows severe anxiety, screams.

Depending on the form of the disease in children under one year of age, appropriate treatment is prescribed and carried out.

How and with what to treat conjunctivitis in newborns?

Treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns depends on the type of disease.

First of all, the eyes need to be washed out of pus. To wash a newborn, you need to use a sterile cotton swab and a mild agent: this can be chamomile or calendula decoctions, a furatsilin solution, or just boiled water.

For the bacterial form of the disease, therapy is carried out using medications containing an antibiotic. These could be:

antibiotic drops: “Floxal”, “Tobrex” are approved for use in children from birth;
ointment for conjunctivitis for newborns (it is most effective when used at night): “Floxal”, tetracycline 1%.

Massage of the nasolacrimal duct is also effective for better drainage of inflammatory discharge, but it should be carried out by medical personnel or parents after training.

Sodium sulfacyl solution (albucid) can only be used at a concentration of 10% (for a newborn) and 20% (after 1 year). This is an effective remedy, but these drops cause severe burning in the inflamed eyes.

Bacterial conjunctivitis looks scary due to the discharge of pus, but with proper and timely treatment it can be cured in just a couple of days.

How long the disease lasts depends on the cause and form. Viral conjunctivitis in a newborn may last longer than bacterial conjunctivitis until the baby’s body copes with the virus. You can help him by washing his eyes and instilling drops with interferon or its inducers: “Ophthalmoferon”, “Actipol”. Such drops also have anti-inflammatory and regenerating properties, helping the conjunctiva recover from inflammation.

Eye drops containing interferon must be stored in the refrigerator, so before putting them in the baby’s eyes, the bottle must be warmed to room temperature by hand.

Allergic conjunctivitis

If the inflammation does not go away, and its symptoms are similar to allergic ones, you should immediately show your newborn baby to a specialist. All remedies used for the allergic form of the disease only relieve the symptoms of the disease and alleviate the condition, but do not fight the cause.

You can get rid of allergies only by removing the allergen and preventing it from coming into contact with the newborn. In addition, eye drops for allergies are limited by the age of the child (he must be at least one year older). Therefore, the most important thing is to determine what exactly caused the reaction: tree blossoms, pets, household or book dust, or other possible sources of allergens.

Additionally, we invite you to watch a video in which an ophthalmologist talks about the forms of childhood conjunctivitis and methods of treatment, and also dispels popular myths:

How to apply eye drops to a baby?

It is not easy to administer eye drops to a newborn. For effective treatment, follow simple rules:

If the drops are stored in the refrigerator, warm the bottle in your hand before instilling.
Do not try to put more than 1 drop in each eye - the conjunctival sac of a newborn simply cannot accommodate more.
If the baby closes his eyes, drop a drop on the junction of the eyelids - when the eyes open, the medicine will fall on the conjunctiva.
If a pipette is used, its end must be rounded.

Prevention and prognosis

The prognosis of the disease with proper treatment is favorable: treatment takes on average several days and passes without consequences.

In no case should inflammation be left unattended in the hope that it will go away on its own: the newborn’s body is still too weak, and the infection can lead to complications and irreversible changes in the cornea, which will lead to decreased vision.

To avoid the development of pathology, you need to follow a number of simple rules. Prevention of eye inflammation in a newborn should be comprehensive, and it should begin even before pregnancy, and always continue:

Before starting to try to get pregnant, the expectant mother needs to be examined for hidden sexually transmitted infections, which may be asymptomatic.
The newborn should have a separate face towel.
Regularly wash your baby's and yourself's hands thoroughly before handling them.
and wash your baby regularly.
Keep the nursery clean.
Regularly ventilate the room and maintain air humidity.
Avoid contact with sick people.

From the video below you will learn how to care for the eyes of a newborn baby and get answers to frequently asked questions from parents. Enjoy watching:

Conjunctivitis is a rather unpleasant, but easily treatable disease for a newborn baby, and if the recommendations are followed, it goes away quickly and without consequences.

One of the common diseases in newborns and young children is conjunctivitis. . Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the transparent membrane of the eye (conjunctiva), manifested by lacrimation, photophobia, redness of the eye, the presence of mucous or mucopurulent discharge, pain and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye.

There are many reasons that lead to the development of conjunctivitis, but the most common are bacterial, viral and allergic conjunctivitis.

Causes of conjunctivitis in newborns

The development of purulent conjunctiva can be caused by the presence of purulent-septic diseases in the newborn, non-compliance with the hygienic regime in the maternity hospital, and defects in the care of the newborn. Often the cause of conjunctivitis is pathology of the lacrimal ducts.

Types of conjunctivitis depending on etiology

Bacterial - caused by bacterial agents (staphylococcal, streptococcal, pneumococcal, diphtheria, gonococcal, etc.);
Viral - caused by viruses (adenovirus, herpetic, etc.);
Chlamydia;
Allergic - as a result of the action of an allergen (medication, hay conjunctivitis, spring catarrh, etc.);
Fungal;
Autoimmune - caused by autoimmune processes in the body.

General symptoms characteristic of all conjunctivitis

Itching and pain in the eyes;
Feeling of a foreign body, sand in the eye;
Photophobia and lacrimation;
Redness (hyperemia) of the eye;
The presence of discharge, the nature of which depends on the pathogen. The discharge can be serous, purulent, mucous, hemorrhagic, crumbly, filmy;
The palpebral fissure is narrowed, the eyelids are swollen and hyperemic.

Let's take a closer look at the most common types of conjunctivitis in children.

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Pathogens Bacterial conjunctivitis most often are: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gonococcus.

Reason The development of purulent conjunctivitis can also be a chlamydial infection.

The causative agents of bacterial conjunctivitis can enter the mucous membrane of the eye with dirty hands. A newborn baby can get an infection when passing through the mother's birth canal.

Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis

Of course, the symptoms of conjunctivitis depend on the pathogen that led to the development of the disease, but there are still a number of common symptoms that indicate its bacterial nature.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by inflammation of both eyes at once. Inflammation may appear first in one eye and then move to the other. The lower eyelids are swollen, the eyes are red, there is increased lacrimation and photophobia. Purulent discharge (yellowish-greenish in color) appears from the eyes. Often the eyes “stick together” due to copious purulent discharge, this is especially noticeable in the morning, when the discharge dries up and it is difficult for the baby to open his eyes. There may be itching and pain in the eyes, causing the child to constantly rub his eyes.

Helps to accurately determine the type of pathogen bacteriological examination- culture of discharge from the eyes, for this they take a smear for microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics.

Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis

Consultation with a specialist is necessary, since young children and especially newborns are prone to rapid generalization of the process, that is, the infection can easily spread to other organs and systems. Timely and correct treatment promotes rapid recovery and helps avoid unwanted consequences.

For the treatment of bacterial (purulent) conjunctivitis is used special eye drops and ointments with antibacterial action. Before applying ointment or drops, it is necessary to clear the eyes of purulent crusts and discharge.

To do this, wipe the eyes with gauze swabs, which are pre-moistened either in a decoction of herbs, or in a weak solution of furacillin, or simply in boiled water. Wipe from the outer corner of the eye to the inner.

Herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect are suitable for preparing a decoction - chamomile, sage, nettle and others.

After removing the crusts, eye ointment is applied or drops are instilled. The frequency of instillation depends on the drug and the age of the child. On average, about 6-8 instillations per day during the acute period and about 3-4 times during the period of improvement. It is better to apply the ointment under the eyelids before going to bed. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor, on average 7-10 days.

If several drugs are prescribed at the same time, the interval between drug administration should be at least 5 minutes.

Gonoblenorrhea

Gonoblenorrhea belongs to the group of acute conjunctivitis, caused by gonococcus. Depending on age, they are distinguished: children, adults.

Gonococcal conjunctivitis of newborns

Infection occurs from the mother when passing through the birth canal; infection is also possible through child care items.

Symptoms gonoblennorrhea: develops 2-3 days after the birth of the child; has an acute character; The child develops severe swelling and redness of the eyelids. The eyelids are swollen, dense, the palpebral fissure almost does not open, the presence of a small amount of serous-meaty discharge, reminiscent in color of meat slop, is characteristic;

The thickening of the eyelids lasts for about 3-4 days, after which it decreases, swelling and hyperemia persist. A profuse yellowish purulent discharge appears. At the edges of the eyelids, discharge can dry out and stick together the eyelids.

The danger of gonoblenorrhea in newborns is that the inflammatory process may involve the cornea of the eye, with the formation of first infiltration and then ulcers. The infection can penetrate into the deep structures of the eye, which can lead to the development of endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis. Another complication is the appearance of scars and clouding of the cornea, which leads to decreased vision

Treatment of gonoblennorrhea in newborns

Wash your eyes generously with disinfectant solutions several times a day.
The use of keratoplasty agents that promote healing and epithelization of the mucous membrane of the eye (solcoseryl, sea buckthorn oil and others).
Antibacterial ointments are also used for treatment, both locally and in the form of retrobulbar injections into the subconjunctiva.

Viral conjunctivitis

Most often caused by a simple virus herpes. Viral conjunctivitis is characterized by unilateral damage, a long course, the appearance of blisters on the skin of the eyelids, and profuse lacrimation.

Adenovirus infection can also cause the development of viral conjunctivitis. At the same time, in addition to the signs of conjunctivitis, the child has signs of ARVI.

In most cases, with viral conjunctivitis, there is a layer of secondary infection and the process takes on a bacterial nature.

Treatment of viral conjunctivitis

To treat viral conjunctivitis, your doctor may prescribe antiviral eye drops and ointments. In the event of a secondary infection, antibacterial drugs cannot be avoided.

It should be remembered that bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are contagious. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the contact of other children with the patient and allocate personal items (towel, scarf, etc.) to care for him.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs in response to an irritant of an allergenic nature - plant pollen, dust, animal hair, medications, food and others.

It is rare in newborns.

Main clinical manifestations allergic conjunctivitis are: connection with the allergen, bilateral damage, severe itching and pain in the eyes. There is a sharp swelling and redness of the eyes, profuse lacrimation. The discharge from the eyes is serous (transparent).

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis

It is necessary to find out and eliminate the cause (allergen). To relieve the symptoms of the disease, antihistamine drops are used.

Fungal conjunctivitis

Clinical manifestations of fungal conjunctivitis are: severe itching, lacrimation, feeling of a foreign body in the eye, and there may be slight photophobia. Fungal conjunctivitis is characterized by the presence of a white, crumbly discharge; when a bacterial infection is attached, the discharge can acquire a mucopurulent character.

On examination, the conjunctiva is loosened and hyperemic.

When examining a smear, threads of mycelium are detected.

Treatment of fungal conjunctivitis

Antifungal drugs (ointments, drops) are used - nystatin, livarin and others.

In severe cases, it may be necessary to prescribe glucocorticosteroids (dexomethasone and others).

Prevention of conjunctivitis in children

Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene - washing your hands with soap, touching and not rubbing your eyes with your hands, having your own towel, handkerchief and other household items.

Strengthening the immune system - vitamins, minerals, including fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet, hardening, physical exercise and others.

Maintaining cleanliness in the house - regular wet cleaning, ventilation of the room.

If a child gets sick with conjunctivitis, he (if possible) should be isolated from other children.