Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

Summary Table of Recommendations

Prophylaxis for Gonococcal and Chlamydial Ophthalmia Neonatorum

Prepared by Richard B. Goldbloom, MD, FRCPC, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University

These recommendations were finalized by the Task Force in September 1990


 
 
 
MANEUVER EFFECTIVENESS LEVEL OF EVIDENCE <REF> RECOMMENDATION
Universal ocular prophylaxis within 1 hour after birth with 1% silver nitrate solution, 1% tetracycline ointment or 0.5% erythromycin ointment (single-dose ampoules recommended for all agents). Gonococcal infection: Dramatic reduction in incidence of gonococcal ophthalmia and blindness. Comparison of times and places <2-5> (II-3) Good evidence to recommend ocular prophylaxis in newborns. (A)
Prophylactic agents have comparable efficacy.  Controlled trials <2,5> (II-1) 
Chlamydial infection: Prophylacitc agents have comparable efficacy, but evidence for efficacy of any agent is inconclusive.  Randomized controlled trials <2,5,7> (I) 
Immediate as opposed to delayed silver nitrate prophylaxis does not significantly affetc parent-infant bonding. Randomized controlled trials <8> (I)

 

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