Open AccessTreatment of acute neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis: a comparison of fucidic acid to chloramphenicol eye drops
Author(s) -
Normann Erik Kreyberg,
Bakken Odd,
Peltola Juha,
Andréasson Bengt,
Buhl Susanne,
Sigg Peter,
Nielsen Klaus
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0420
pISSN - 1395-3907
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2002.800212.x
Subject(s) - chloramphenicol , medicine , bacterial conjunctivitis , antibiotics , gastroenterology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
. Purpose: To compare the clinical and bacteriological effects of fucidic acid (Fucithalmic ® : 1.0%) and chloramphenicol (Minims ® : 0.5%) eye drops in neonates with a clinical diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis of suspected bacterial origin. Methods: A total of 456 n ewborns with gestational age > 32 weeks with acute conjunctivitis of suspected bacterial origin acquired within the first 28 days of life were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to a 7‐day treatment with eye drops using either fucidic acid (1.0%) (Fucithalmic ® ) applied twice per day, or chloramphenicol (0.5%) (Minims ® Chloramphenicol) applied six times per day. The subjects were followed up with two visits (on days 1 and 8) and by telephone 2 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: Eighty‐nine per cent of the neonates treated with Fucithalmic ® were cured, compared to 87.9% of those treated with Minims ® Chloramphenicol (n.s). The drug was used as instructed in 90.7% of patients treated with Fucithalmic ® and in 78.0% of those treated with Minims ® Chloramphenicol ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Treating neonatal conjunctivitis with fucidic acid is easier than with chloramphenicol and is equally effective.