Open AccessHaemolacria: a case of pseudomembranous conjunctivitis in a neonate
Author(s) -
Michelle Marie Boffa,
Amaris Spiteri
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2020-235110
Subject(s) - medicine , erythromycin , pneumonia , chlamydia , chlamydia trachomatis , pediatrics , doxycycline , blindness , dermatology , intensive care medicine , antibiotics , immunology , optometry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
We report an unusual case of an 11-day-old neonate presenting with haemolacria on a background of sticky conjunctival discharge. This was secondary to Chlamydia pseudomembranous conjunctivitis which responded well to systemic erythromycin. Early appropriate treatment is important to prevent progression of the ophthalmic infection, which could lead to blindness, and to prevent other manifestations of neonatal chlamydial infection, particularly pneumonia, which could be fatal. Management also includes treating the mother and educating about sexually transmitted infections.