ophthalmia neonatorum

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Definition

Noun: - A severe eye infection (conjunctivitis) that occurs in newborn infants, typically contracted during passage through the birth canal. It is historically and commonly prevented by the application of silver nitrate drops to the eyes shortly after birth.

Usage

This is a medical term. It is used specifically in clinical, pediatric, and public health contexts to describe a preventable condition in newborns. - Routine screening and prophylaxis are essential to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. - The most common causes of ophthalmia neonatorum are bacterial infections acquired from the mother.

Advanced Usage
  • The term is often discussed in the context of neonatal prophylaxis, referring to preventive measures taken at birth.
  • It may be specified by the causative agent, e.g., or .
Variants and Related Words
  • Neonatal conjunctivitis: A more general term that can be synonymous with ophthalmia neonatorum but may also include other causes of eye inflammation in newborns.
  • Ophthalmia: A general term for inflammation of the eye, especially the conjunctiva.
Synonyms
  • Neonatal conjunctivitis (in many clinical contexts)
  • Neonatal infectious conjunctivitis
Related Phrases/Idioms

This is a precise medical term and is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs.

Noun
  1. ophthalmia in newborns; contracted while passing through the birth canal; usually prevented with silver nitrate drops