Treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns. Symptoms of conjunctivitis in infants and children under one year old, methods of treating the disease. Most Common Causes

Left behind are 9 months of painful waiting, difficult childbirth and an exciting first acquaintance with the long-awaited baby. It would seem that everything is fine, but in fact, the chores are just beginning. Among the many problems that await you, one of the most common is conjunctivitis in newborns.

This disease is very common, but with proper treatment, it passes quite quickly. However, every mother should know as much as possible about conjunctivitis in order to be fully armed and start the right treatment when it appears.

Types of conjunctivitis in newborns

There are two types of this disease, based on the cause of its occurrence. It is very important to know what exactly you are dealing with in order to begin competent treatment. So, eye conjunctivitis in newborns can be:

Bacterial;
Viral.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also subdivided into:

staphylococcal;
pneumococcal;
gonococcal;
chlamydial.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is also called purulent, its main difference from the viral one is that only one eye of the newborn is affected. At the same time, thick purulent discharge is observed, which can especially scare you. However, the treatment of this particular type of conjunctivitis is easier and faster, although the disease is quite difficult. But the risk of complications for the newborn is minimal here.

Viral conjunctivitis affects both eyes of a newborn in turn, and is usually more easily tolerated. However, it is very important here how quickly you started treatment, because the viruses that caused the disease can enter the baby's body and disrupt the work of internal organs that have not fully formed. And then simple conjunctivitis can threaten with quite serious complications in the future.

That is why, if a newborn is overtaken by conjunctivitis, treatment should be as quick and effective as possible.

Symptoms of the disease

It may seem to you that it is not difficult to determine conjunctivitis and you yourself can make a diagnosis, and then begin treatment. However, do not forget that there are other diseases with similar symptoms that can mislead you into thinking that the newborn has conjunctivitis. For example, it may be dacryocystitis or simply non-opening of the lacrimal canal of a newborn.

And it is very important to start treatment only after making the most accurate diagnosis. After all, a newborn baby has just begun to adapt to the world and he still has so much to go through in order to finally get stronger. And in order not to cause unintentional harm to your child, starting treatment without being sure of the exact diagnosis, carefully study all the symptoms of conjunctivitis.

So, viral inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes of a newborn is characterized by:

Profuse lacrimation;
Strong redness;
Inflammation of each eye in turn.

Also, with this type of conjunctivitis, the eyes of a newborn baby can become covered with a thin whitish film.

If a newborn is overtaken by bacterial conjunctivitis, you can identify it by the following signs that will help start the right treatment:

puffiness;
tearing;
severe redness;
mucosal irritation;

In addition, you can understand that you are dealing with bacterial conjunctivitis if the newborn's eye has begun to fester, and this pus prevents him from opening his eyes after sleep (Read the article: Newborn's eye fester >>>). In any case, as soon as you notice the first sign of conjunctivitis, immediately begin to take action. After all, the sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be.

Treatment at home

Despite the fact that conjunctivitis is not considered a serious illness, do not forget that a newborn baby is not at all adapted to this world, and any little thing can become a serious complication for his fragile body. That is why treatment should be as fast as possible, and most importantly competent.

Do not put off a visit to a specialist. After all, only an ophthalmologist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment that will quickly help the newborn.

But you can always alleviate the baby's condition before a visit to the doctor, and if the disease overtakes you again, you will definitely be fully equipped and will know what and how to do in order to effectively treat the disease.

So, how to treat conjunctivitis in newborns if there is no way to get to the doctor?

Eye wash treatment. Furacilin solution, as well as decoctions from herbs such as chamomile, calendula, sage, will help the newborn get rid of pus; An important article on the topic: How to wash the eyes of a newborn?>>>
Treatment with Levomecithin drops. They should be instilled into the eyes at least 4 times a day;
Treatment with tetracycline ointment. It must be carefully placed behind the eyelid of a sleeping newborn.

In addition, read the current article about which drops will help in the treatment of conjunctivitis: Eye drops for newborns >>>

Also, depending on the condition of the newborn, treatment with antibacterial drugs in drops, disinfectant solutions, antiviral drugs and antibiotics is possible.

Important! Such drugs should be prescribed exclusively by an ophthalmologist after examining a newborn and passing certain tests.

And even if you know how to cure a child's conjunctivitis at home, do not neglect a visit to the doctor. After all, it is better to ask and clarify once again than to carry out a belated treatment of conjunctivitis later.

Causes of conjunctivitis in newborns

Any treatment is better to start in the early stages of the disease. But is it even better to avoid any discomfort for your newborn baby than to deal with the consequences? And most of all, a thorough study of all the causes that can cause a particular disease is suitable for this. So, why does conjunctivitis occur in a newborn? The most common are the following reasons:

weak immunity;
infection during passage through the birth canal;
the presence of genital or oral herpes in the mother;
non-compliance with basic hygiene rules;
getting into the eye of a newborn dirt or foreign body.

Of course, not all factors can be prevented or completely eliminated, but isn't it a shame if the cause of conjunctivitis in your newborn baby is poor care for him? Therefore, pay special attention to issues of both children's and personal hygiene.

Prevention of conjunctivitis in a newborn

If you know the causes that cause conjunctivitis in a newborn, it is much easier to make sure that this disease passes by your home. Think about prevention even while carrying a baby.

Take tests for the detection of the herpes virus not once during pregnancy, but at least once every trimester. After all, you continue to work, be in public places and contact with many people. And if in the first months of pregnancy this insidious virus was not in the body, unfortunately, this is not at all a guarantee that it will not be there later.

If you still have herpes, regardless of whether it is oral or genital, carefully monitor your health, doing everything so that the chronic form does not turn into an active one. After all, your weakened immune system will be reflected in the newborn, increasing the risk of conjunctivitis.

After the birth of the baby, continue active prevention of this insidious disease.

Carefully follow all the rules of hygiene, wipe the eyes of a newborn in the morning and evening with a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water;
Make sure that none of the household members take the child in their arms without washing their hands with soap after returning home;
Do wet cleaning as often as possible, because dust also affects the eyes of a newborn and may well cause conjunctivitis.

Remember that your baby is still completely defenseless in front of this huge world, and only you and your maternal care will help him go through a difficult process of adaptation.

Take care of your newborn baby, and let conjunctivitis bypass your home!

Very often in the first year of life, children can get conjunctivitis. With this disease, the eyes become inflamed. Lachrymation intensifies, the well-being of babies deteriorates greatly. Untimely assistance can lead to the development of adverse complications. In severe cases, even lead to visual impairment.

Main reasons

Conjunctivitis can be caused by a number of factors. In newborns and toddlers, the most common causes are:

Infections. The disease can be caused by both bacteria and viruses. In more rare cases, infection with protozoa and fungi occurs. The course of diseases caused by different pathogens will differ significantly from each other. Clinical symptoms manifest themselves in different ways. Treatment is specific, aimed at destroying the infection in the body.
Traumatic injuries. Babies from 3 months old begin to actively explore the world. All new items are of particular interest to them. They put them in their mouths or taste them. A child under the age of 5 months can inadvertently injure himself in the eye. The mucous membrane of the eyes in babies is still very sensitive and vulnerable. After such a traumatic injury, conjunctivitis develops.
After birth. If the expectant mother during pregnancy becomes ill with some kind of cold or infectious disease, then the baby can easily become infected from it. The fact is that the virus is a very small particle. It easily passes through the placental barrier and causes inflammation in the baby. In this case, there are congenital forms of conjunctivitis. This variant of the disease occurs in babies from the 1st month of life.
Allergy. The manifestation of an allergic reaction is the development of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes. Most often this option occurs in babies aged 6 months, 8 months. At this time, new complementary foods are introduced into the child's diet, which can provoke an allergy to unfamiliar foods. Babies at the age of 7 months tend to get sick more often than younger children and newborns.
Violation of the rules of personal hygiene. Each child must have their own towels and dishes. If there are several kids of different ages in the family, they should only use their own hygiene items. When using other people's towels, an infection is easily spread, a disease can develop.

Types and forms

To date, there are a huge number of various variants of the course of the disease. To divide the types and forms of the disease into special categories, doctors use a variety of classifications. This allows you to accurately establish the diagnosis, indicating the cause of the disease, the variant of the course and determine a more likely prognosis for this disease.

After the treatment, the return of the disease in acute forms should not be. If the process is repeated after 2 months or more, then this option is called recurrent. This form of the disease tends to become chronic.

All infectious conjunctivitis is divided into several forms (taking into account the pathogen that causes them). For different types of eye diseases, separate types of therapy and medicines are used. Infectious conjunctivitis can be:

Viral. Most common in babies over the age of 4 months. They are caused by various viruses. Quite often, adenoviruses can cause conjunctivitis in newborn babies. Getting on the mucous membrane of the eye, they quickly damage the cells and cause inflammation. After some time, with the bloodstream, the viruses rapidly spread throughout the body, causing inflammation in the internal organs.
Bacterial. The peak incidence in babies is at 9 months, 11 months. Staphylococci, streptococci and anaerobic bacteria are fairly common causes of infectious eye diseases in babies in the first year of life. A disease caused by foreign microorganisms in newborn babies can be quite difficult. In some cases, hospitalization is required. It is extremely undesirable to treat newborns with purulent forms of bacterial conjunctivitis at home.
Chlamydia. Called chlamydia. Most often, infection occurs in utero, from the mother. If the expectant mother becomes infected with chlamydial infection, then the baby can also easily become infected. With the blood flow, microorganisms not only spread throughout the mother's body, but also affect the child. If during the 9 months of pregnancy a woman has a pathology of the placenta, the intrauterine risk of infection of the unborn baby increases many times over.
Fungal. They are quite rare. The causative agents of the disease in this case are pathogenic fungi. Most often, this variant of the disease occurs in weakened children or babies with chronic immunodeficiencies. The disease develops for a long time. The treatment requires the appointment of special antifungal drugs.

What are the main symptoms and signs of the disease?

With conjunctivitis in babies, inflammation occurs on the mucous membrane of the eyes. Typically, one eye is affected first. Usually, after a couple of days, the inflammatory process also begins in the second.

The most common symptoms in newborns and children in the first year of life with conjunctivitis are:

Redness of the eyes. The entire white surface of the eye becomes red. Some babies have very prominent blood vessels. Bright light irritates the inflamed mucous membrane. The kid tries not to open his eyes, as this increases the pain.
Lachrymation. One of the most characteristic signs of conjunctivitis. A lot of lacrimal fluid is released from the affected eye throughout the day. In most cases, it is transparent. If the course of the disease is severe enough or a secondary infection has joined, then the nature of the discharge changes. They become purulent, sometimes even bloody and purple.
suppuration. With bacterial conjunctivitis, pus begins to flow from the damaged eye. It is quite sticky and can even glue the cilia together. It is usually quite difficult for children with suppuration in the morning to open their eyes. It is necessary to remove pus from the cilia and eyes several times a day - with a cotton pad dipped in warm water or an antiseptic.
Pain when exposed to sunlight. The inflamed mucous membrane of the eye is very susceptible to radiation. Toddlers feel much better in dark and curtained rooms. The bright rays of the sun cause them severe pain, bringing severe discomfort. In the dark, the child begins to feel much better.
Violation of the general well-being of the baby. As a rule, when the first symptoms of conjunctivitis appear, babies become more capricious and cry more often. Children may refuse breastfeeding, become capricious. Sleepiness often increases. Toddlers prefer not to open their eyes, as this brings them great discomfort.
Increase in body temperature. With a mild course of the disease, it rises, as a rule, to 37-37.5 degrees. In more severe forms, the increase can be up to 38-39 degrees. If a child has allergic conjunctivitis, then other signs characteristic of allergies also appear. A dry cough or runny nose, congestion when breathing may occur. Babies with dermatitis often develop new, itchy rashes.

Symptoms characteristic of conjunctivitis occur after an incubation period. Its duration depends on the cause that caused the disease. Often for viral conjunctivitis, it lasts 5-7 days. If the disease is caused by bacteria, then usually the incubation period increases to a week.

With chlamydial conjunctivitis, the first manifestations may occur 12-14 days after infection. Quite a long incubation period for fungal infections. Usually it is 2-3 weeks. In order to say with certainty which pathogen caused the disease, additional examinations and analyzes are required.

Diagnosis in an infant

The variety of clinical forms of the disease requires ancillary tests. They help to establish the cause of the disease and clarify the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis is carried out for all newborns and infants.

A complete blood count is the most common and simplest test to determine the source of an infection. This analysis not only shows the general condition and severity of the disease, but can also establish a probable cause.

The results of this test show the presence of bacteria, viruses or other pathogens in the body.

However, only one blood test is not informative. The doctor has only speculative results about what the cause of the disease is. It is possible to clarify a specific pathogen only through special laboratory serological tests.

These include conducting bakposeva lacrimal fluid and excreted from the eyes. This study is the most informative, especially in the early days of the disease. With its help, you can not only find the pathogen, but also determine the sensitivity of the microorganism to antibiotics.

Such a diagnosis allows doctors to correctly establish the diagnosis, as well as prescribe the correct treatment.

If at the beginning of the disease, the discharge of the discharge was not sown for some reason, then in such cases they resort to specific serological tests. Blood is taken from the baby from a vein and analyzed. The presence of antibodies to various pathogens will be a reliable fact of the presence of a specific infection in the child's body.

In the most difficult cases, several laboratory tests are required at once. With their help, the doctor can make the most accurate diagnosis and decide whether antibiotics are needed in therapy. Often, newborn babies are admitted to the hospital for all tests and examinations. In stationary conditions, it is easier to carry out this set of diagnostic measures.

Treatment

If you are going to self-medicate at home, be sure to show your baby to an ophthalmologist.

After examining the child and conducting examinations on special devices the doctor will be able to decide whether the baby needs to be hospitalized in a specialized children's hospital.

If the doctor allows you to be observed and treated at home, then in this case he will definitely give recommendations on which medicines can be used. In most cases, doctors prescribe special eye drops.

If the disease is severe, then injections or antibiotic tablets may be required for treatment. This is decided only by the attending physician. You should not use such drugs on your own.

Bathing a baby in the first day of the development of the disease is highly undesirable. Especially do not do this if the baby has a fever. Newborn babies still have very poor thermoregulation and can quickly become cold. It is better to wipe the child's body with a soft towel soaked in warm water. Try to wipe the baby's delicate skin as gently as possible. Wipe the baby dry so that he does not catch a cold.

Pediatricians do not recommend walking with the baby in the midst of an acute period of the disease. This is especially not worth doing in the summer. With active insolation, inflammation on the mucous membrane of the baby's eyes can increase. The sun's rays can greatly increase soreness and lacrimation.

During walks, one should not forget to cover the face and head of the child with a light headdress with wide brim. For newborn babies, choose strollers with voluminous visors to protect from the sun.

Specific Therapy

In the treatment of conjunctivitis, it is very important to properly clean the eyes of the child. To do this, a cotton pad soaked in warm water gently removes the discharge - from the outer corner to the inner. Disks for both eyes must be different. It is allowed to do this procedure 3-4 times a day. You can also use decoctions of chamomile or a weak solution of furacilin. Solutions should not be hot, so as not to cause additional damage.

Antibacterial drugs are used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Babies from birth can use albucid. This medicine perfectly destroys various types of pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria. Most staph infections can be treated with albucid. In maternity hospitals, it is used for babies from the first days of life (for the prevention and treatment of gonorrheal eye infections).

An equally effective drug for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis is Levomycetin. The mechanism of action of this drug is aimed at the destruction of bacteria. It is used for young children in the treatment of conjunctivitis of various variants of the course. It can be used as an eye ointment, which is placed behind the eyelid several times a day.

For information on how to bury the remedy in the eyes of a child, watch the following video.

Daily regime

The organization of the correct daily schedule also plays an important role in the treatment of the disease. Newborn babies should get as much rest as possible. Babies during infectious diseases need to sleep at least 12 hours a day. Daytime sleep will help the baby to recuperate. During sleep, it is better to curtain the windows and avoid bright sunlight. This will help the rapid recovery and healing of the damaged mucous membrane of the eyes.

Therapeutic diet

To restore the body, all babies are recommended to prescribe a special diet. Newborn babies should be breastfed on demand. The intervals between feedings are usually no more than 2-3 hours. Protective antibodies that come with mother's milk help children's immunity in the fight against infection.

Babies who receive complementary foods must eat every 2.5-3 hours. It is better to choose products that have undergone sufficient heat treatment. Liquid meals are preferred. Cereal flakes and meat puree are an excellent option. You can supplement the diet with pureed fruits or vegetables (by age). For babies, by 10 months, fresh fermented milk products are added in a small amount.

During treatment, the child must be given a sufficient amount of fluid. Breastfed babies should definitely be supplemented with clean boiled water (in addition to feeding). This is especially important when prescribing antibiotics. In this case, the removal of dangerous bacterial toxins will be faster, and the child will recover sooner.

Prevention

The body of infants is still very weakened. The baby's immune system goes through its development throughout the first year of life. The most important protection and prevention of various infectious diseases in young children is breastfeeding. Protective antibodies that come with mother's milk help babies cope with various infectious agents and strengthen the immune system.

To prevent conjunctivitis, it is also quite important to observe the rules of personal hygiene. If the mother has contracted the infection during pregnancy or lactation, treatment should be started as soon as possible. When infected with bacteria of various types, antibiotics are required. Breastfeeding should be postponed for the duration of the mother's treatment. At this time, infants are transferred to food with adapted dry mixtures.

Each child must have their own hygiene items and towels. Wash textile baby clothes every day. After washing, everything must be ironed on both sides. To wipe the eye during hygiene procedures, it is better to use sterile cotton pads. This is especially important for newborn babies.

Daily walks in the fresh air are an excellent way to strengthen the immune system of a newborn baby. Choose a warm time for walking. In colder weather, opt for warm and comfortable clothing. The child should not be wrapped! In children in the first year of life, the body's thermoregulation system is not yet fully functional. If the baby is overwrapped, it can overheat and even get sick. You should choose clothes according to the season.

In the first year of a baby's life, be sure to include vitamin D in the diet. This is vital for babies who live in cold climates. Sufficient intake of vitamin D in the body helps to strengthen the child's immunity, preventing possible infectious diseases.
Doctor Komarovsky
Viral

Bacterial

In infants

Conjunctivitis in newborns and infants in the first year of life is a problem that more than 15% of new mothers have to face. By itself, the pathology does not pose a great threat to the health, and even more so the life of the baby. But the disease is accompanied by symptoms that are extremely unpleasant for the child, the baby becomes capricious, tearful, eats and sleeps poorly. In addition, there is a risk of complications.

Conjunctivitis in infants is often confused with dacryocystitis, a disease in which the lacrimal sac becomes inflamed in an infant, or a banal blockage of the lacrimal canal. Pathologies are similar in manifestations, but still have differences and require a completely different approach to treatment. With a timely visit to the doctor and the correct diagnosis, it will not be difficult to cure conjunctivitis in a few days. But for this, parents need to know the characteristic symptoms of the pathology, be able to recognize it in time and take appropriate measures.

What it is

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes caused by chemical irritants or pathogens. 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 more common, developing against the background of seasonal allergies in a child or under the influence of histamines. At the same time, anything can act as histamine: food, drugs, household chemicals, and even house dust.

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

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

staphylococcal;
pneumococcal;
gonococcal;
chlamydial.

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

Viral conjunctivitis in an infant develops and proceeds, at first glance, easier, purulent discharge is absent. But often it is this form of the disease, if not treated on time and to the end, that leads to serious complications. In this case, not only the eyes can suffer if the viral infection spreads throughout the body. The greatest danger lies in the fact 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 that parents know the symptoms of various forms of mucosal inflammation in a newborn, be able to recognize it in time, consult a doctor and begin adequate treatment.

How the disease manifests itself

Conjunctivitis in children under one year old can only be accurately diagnosed by a doctor, since numerous ophthalmic pathologies have similar symptoms. Nevertheless, there are certain signs by which parents may suspect this particular disease and seek medical help.

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

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

In the daytime, the pus is washed off with tears or removed when washing. But during the night it accumulates, dries up, 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 eye 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 eye and eyelids;
puffiness (it can be recognized in a one-year-old child and older children, since in a newborn the eyes themselves are as if swollen);
the surface of the eyeball is often covered with a whitish film;
first, one eye becomes inflamed, then the infection passes 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 worries them. As a rule, these are headaches, weakness, malaise, aching joints, lack of appetite - that is, typical symptoms of SARS, which caused viral conjunctivitis.

Important: Even if 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 another therapy will be needed. In addition, for the treatment of 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.

Ways of infection and causes of development

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

A pregnant woman must treat all gynecological and venereal 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, the baby can easily 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, 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 passage of 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 cannot foresee absolutely everything and protect her baby 100% from all diseases. But nevertheless, a lot is in her hands. A pregnant woman must definitely treat all diseases before giving birth. And after the birth of a child, do not be lazy to fully and regularly care for him.

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 beginning of the course of treatment until complete recovery. It should be understood that the children'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 flushing is the main treatment for conjunctivitis of any form in infants.

Ideally, at the first suspicious symptoms, you should visit an eye doctor. If this is not possible, rinsing the eye will help alleviate the condition of the baby. You can use the pharmaceutical antiseptic drug Furacilin or decoctions of medicinal herbs: chamomile, calendula, sage. The solution for washing 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 feeding.

Some sources recommend instilling eyes with Levomycetin before the doctor arrives or laying Tetracycline ointment. 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 sparing 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 to massage the nasolacrimal canal. Every mother, even the youngest and inexperienced, can learn how to do it on her own at home, the main thing is caution, attention and love.

How to properly rinse your eyes

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

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 tablet from the package and carefully crush into powder. The better this is done, the faster Furacilin will dissolve in water.
Pour the powder into a sterilized container, pour 100 ml of boiled water at a temperature of about 38 degrees, but not higher.
Stir, leave for half an hour, so that the powder is completely dissolved. You should get a yellow liquid.
Furacilin always gives a balance. So that small particles of the drug do not injure the baby's eyes, before washing, the resulting solution is filtered through a sterile bandage folded in several layers.

The solution is not stored for a long time without a refrigerator, 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 officinalis is an excellent natural antiseptic, a decoction of a medicinal plant can be safely used to treat sore eyes in infants

Washing is performed directly with a cotton sponge, it is moistened in the prepared solution, slightly squeezed and the crusts and pus are carefully removed, 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. Washing with tea leaves or a decoction of medicinal plants is performed in a similar way. The main thing to remember is three rules:

the temperature of the liquid should be no higher than 38 degrees;
decoctions and infusions must be carefully filtered so that not a single blade of grass or grains remains in them;
rinse solutions do not keep for a long time, ideally prepare fresh every day.

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

How to apply ointment

If the doctor deemed it necessary to prescribe Tetracycline or any other antibacterial ointment, put it behind the lower eyelid 10-15 minutes after washing. It is done like this:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap.
Lay your 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 the right hand.
Pull the lower eyelid with the fingers of the left hand and gently inject the ointment.
Repeat the procedure with the second eye.

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

Important! Do not apply more ointments than recommended by the doctor to speed up recovery. This will not happen anyway, but it is possible to provoke unwanted side effects and allergic reactions.

How to massage

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

First, the eyes of the crumbs 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 eye.
With vibrating, slightly pressing movements, the fingers descend to the wings of the spout.

Regular massage of the nasolacrimal canal will help to cure purulent conjunctivitis faster and prevent complications

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

What drugs can a doctor prescribe

Treatment of newborns, and not only for conjunctivitis, is always complicated by the fact that most drugs cannot be used due to the long list of possible side effects. The doctor selects the most benign medicines of the latest generations with a minimum of "side effects", while 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 of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory action. The following medicines have proven themselves best:

Albucid - the drug is administered 1-2 drops after washing into each eye up to 8 times in the first two days of illness, then as the condition improves, the number of instillations is reduced to 4 times a day.
Vitabact - these drops must be used for at least 7 days, but not more than 10, the drug is administered one drop up to 4 times a day.
Oftalmoferon - 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 eye ointment with antibacterial action, it is enough to lay it once a day for ten days.
Tetracycline ointment is a traditional drug against eye inflammation, which is allowed to be used 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 give positive results for two to three days, you should re-contact an ophthalmologist and correct it. With the right approach, the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis completely go away in 5-7 days, viral - 7-10 days. During this period, it is important to carefully monitor the hygiene of the baby, and after recovery, remember about preventive measures.

Summary: Conjunctivitis in infants is a common ophthalmic pathology, not the most dangerous, but capable of provoking serious complications without proper treatment. It is quite possible to get rid of the disease in a few days, if you strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor. Otherwise, the treatment may take several weeks or the disease will recur again and again. The main method of treatment is washing the eye 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 follow all the doctor's instructions without deviation.

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Conjunctivitis is a common ophthalmic disease, which is the development of an inflammatory process on the mucous membranes of the eye.

Quite often, the problem is diagnosed in infants and even newborns - it is predominantly bacterial, less often allergic or adenovirus in nature.

In the article you will learn how and how to treat conjunctivitis in an infant or a newborn child.

Causes of conjunctivitis in infants and newborns

The immune system of a modern newborn child is often still very weak and cannot effectively cope with a variety of infections. Premature babies are at particular risk.

An additional negative impact can also have a poor sanitary and hygienic climate in the maternity hospital, as well as the presence of congenital pathologies in the development of the visual system.

The most common causes:

Infectious lesions. This includes a number of bacteria and viruses - from chlamydia and staphylococcus to herpes, proteus and even Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infection is possible when passing through the birth canal, the presence of infection on obstetric instruments, etc.;
Allergic reactions. Any chemicals that get on the mucous membranes of the eyes, including some medications (for example, sodium sulfacyl solution recommended for use as a local antiseptic) can cause irritation of the conjunctiva and the characteristic symptoms of the disease;
The presence of other ophthalmic diseases. If there are problems with the visual system in an infant (for example, inflammation of the lacrimal sac or blockade of the lacrimal canal), conjunctivitis can act as a secondary form of the disease that has developed against the background of the underlying pathology;
autoimmune response. A rare pathology that develops in newborns and is associated with the conflicting work of several autoimmune systems. The etiology and mechanism of the problem has not been sufficiently studied, however, the initial symptoms coincide with the manifestations of the classic viral type conjunctivitis, which affects both eyes, after which the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasopharynx are also included in the pathology, and other pathologies are formed.

Types and symptoms of conjunctivitis in infants

The symptomatology of conjunctivitis in newborns and infants significantly depends on the specific causative agent of the disease. Common manifestations, regardless of the cause of the formation of the pathological condition, usually include:

Abundant;
Redness of the mucous membranes of the visual organ;
Puffiness of the eyelids;
Sour eyes.

The general symptomatology is supplemented by other manifestations, depending on the type of conjunctivitis:

Viral. In the vast majority of cases, the causative agent is herpes or adenoviruses. Usually 1 eye of the child is affected, while the standard set of symptoms is accompanied by rashes in the form of small bubbles with transparent contents on the skin of the eyelids. The disease itself proceeds sluggishly, develops for a long period of time;
Staphylococcal. The skin around the eyes becomes actively inflamed and swells, pus constantly accumulates along the edges of the visual organ, forming crusts and gluing both eyelashes and eyelids. The baby is very restless, wakes up regularly and screams from pain and pain in the eyes;
pneumococcal. The secreted pus has a whitish tint and forms thin films. The eyelids not only swell and become inflamed, but are also covered with a small punctate rash. Often the child has a high temperature;
Gonococcal. Discharge from the eyes has a serous-bloody structure, quickly hardening in the air. The eyelids are dense, swollen, of a bluish-purple hue and practically do not open, the inflammatory process affects not only the conjunctiva, but also the cornea. This type of conjunctivitis requires emergency diagnosis and complex treatment, since the likelihood of serious complications is high;
diphtheria. It is characterized by a high temperature in a child, a classic set of general symptoms, and also with the formation of whitish fibrin films on the mucous membranes, upon removal of which the conjunctiva begins to bleed;
Chlamydial. In addition to the general manifestations of conjunctivitis, it is characterized by extremely abundant purulent discharge, which cannot be eliminated for a long time even by frequent washings. At the same time, the pain syndrome is insignificant, the temperature is normal, the cornea and other elements of the eye are not affected;
Allergic. The child has profuse lacrimation, photophobia, severe itching and redness of the mucous membranes of the eye, as well as swelling. The temperature usually does not rise, purulent discharge is absent (these symptoms may occur when secondary eye bacterial infections are connected).

Treatment of conjunctivitis of the eye in infants

Consider how to cure conjunctivitis in a newborn with drugs. The basis for the treatment of eye conjunctivitis in newborns and infants is almost always conservative drug therapy. Only in some cases, in the presence of serious complications and an advanced stage of the disease, emergency surgical intervention may be required.

However, such cases in modern medical practice are rare, since they are associated with a generalized, very neglected bacterial lesion of all structures of the eye by individual gram-negative representatives of pathogenic microflora, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or enterococci.

Due to the presence of comprehensive neonatal control in maternity hospitals and careful outpatient monitoring of the 1st year of a baby's life, such a situation is extremely unlikely.

The therapeutic scheme for the treatment of conjunctivitis is prescribed by a neonatologist, pediatrician, ophthalmologist or other specialized specialist based on a confirmed diagnosis, the individual characteristics of the baby's body, the presence or absence of complications, and also taking into account the type of disease.

Possible drug combinations:

. Antibiotic eye drops and ointments are used. The advantage is given to narrowly targeted therapy, after the identification of a specific bacterial agent. As an addition - local antiseptic treatment. For generalized infections, the use of broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics may be considered. Typical representatives are ointments based on or, drops based on Levomycetin, eye rinsing with a furatsilin solution;
. To eliminate the basic symptoms, artificial tear drops and warm compresses are used. The basis of therapy is eye drops with recombinant interferon, as a supplement for herpetic nature - drugs based on Acyclovir. When attaching secondary bacterial infections - drops with an antibiotic effective against the identified pathogenic agent. Typical representatives are, Signicef, Ciprofloxacin (the last two are antibiotics);
. Basic therapy - antihistamines in the form of drops based on receptor blockers. Typical modern representatives are Cetirizine, Fexofenadine, Astemizol. In severe allergic manifestations associated with a complex autoimmune response of the body, it is possible to use eye drops with corticosteroids, for example, or Prednisolone. An alternative is combined agents containing metacel, interferon and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory component.

Treatment of conjunctivitis in infants with folk remedies

Traditional medicine is not applicable for the treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns, because in the conditions of complex neonatal monitoring in maternity hospitals, mothers simply will not be allowed to test any non-traditional methods of therapy on a child.

Treatment of infants with folk recipes at home is also subject to fierce criticism from modern medicine, for a number of reasons:

With the allergic nature of the disease, the use of any herbal remedies can lead to an exacerbation of symptoms and a deterioration in the condition of a small patient;
In the case of a bacterial infection, certain methods popular among the people (for example, instillation of breast milk into the eyes) create the prerequisites for accelerating the growth of pathogenic microflora, which, in fact, gives the opposite effect to the treatment;
With the viral nature of the disease, any folk remedies applied topically do not have any effect on the agent, creating only a placebo effect for parents.

The only possible area of application of traditional medicine for the treatment of conjunctivitis in infants is local antiseptic and anti-inflammatory treatment of mucous membranes, which can be used as an addition to basic therapy and only after mandatory agreement with the attending physician (pediatrician, ophthalmologist, etc.).

For this, infusions on chamomile, aloe, cornflower, black or green tea are used in a small concentration - cotton-gauze swabs are impregnated with the means, after which the conjunctiva of the eye is mechanically processed.

Features of purulent conjunctivitis in infants and treatment

Conjunctivitis, in which purulent formations are released on the surface of the mucous membranes of the eyes of a newborn or infant, is caused by bacterial lesions.

It can be both the primary form of the disease caused by infection of the child during the passage through the genital tract of a woman suffering from any form of bacterial-vaginal infection, non-sterility of the instruments and hands of the midwife, etc., and its secondary form, when against the background of an allergic, viral or an autoimmune reaction, the risks of background infection with bacteria increase.

The most acute varieties of purulent conjunctivitis are caused by gram-negative microflora - in particular, enterobacteria like Klebsiella, Proteus, as well as Escherichia or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In this case, not only the external mucous membranes are at risk, but also the cornea, the internal structures of the eye, which can lead to the most serious complications, up to complete blindness and destruction of the tissues of the organ. At the same time, chlamydia, staphylococci and moraxella do not cause such dangerous consequences, although in some cases the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced.

The basic principle of treatment of any purulent conjunctivitis is the accurate detection of a bacterial agent, the selection of appropriate local (sometimes systemic) antibiotics, and additional antiseptic treatment of the conjunctiva.

A specific therapeutic regimen is prescribed by a pediatrician, neonatologist, ophthalmologist or other specialized specialist who treats a newborn or infant.

Complications and consequences

The list of the main complications of conjunctivitis in infants usually includes:

. Due to a serious infectious lesion and insufficient treatment, the baby may develop a pathology associated with a decrease in the production of tears, which is formed due to the blockade of the corresponding tubules;
. Infectious inflammation of the eyelids is a frequent concomitant consequence of conjunctivitis;
. Inflammatory processes in the cornea can be caused by individual bacteria, which leads to a deterioration in its transparency, the appearance of a thorn and other pathologies;
Scarring of the mucous membranes and middle tissue layers of the pupil. A rare complication in newborns and infants caused by a prolonged lack of adequate therapy for conjunctivitis;
Other pathologies, one way or another, negatively affecting the visual system of the child.

Now you know how and how to treat conjunctivitis in a baby.

In infants due to weak immunity, infection during childbirth, transmission of the pathogen from the mother, insufficient hygiene of the organ of vision.

Treatment depends on the form of the disease and requires accurate diagnosis.

Due to age restrictions, many drugs are not used, the exact selection of drugs and other methods of therapy is carried out by a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist.

In addition to treatment, it is important to follow preventive measures to prevent recurrent conjunctivitis. With insufficient attention to the causes and symptoms of the disease, complications can occur.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva due to various factors is called conjunctivitis. The disease can be of a different nature:

contact;

With a bacterial variety, infection of the mucous membrane of the eye occurs with pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria.. A distinctive feature of the disease is purulent discharge of gray or yellowish color.

The viral form occurs when the mucosa is damaged by viruses (for example, herpes, adenovirus), often accompanies colds - SARS, acute respiratory infections. Accompanied by fever, runny nose, cough and other symptoms of a cold. Characterized by clear mucous discharge.

A common feature of bacterial and viral conjunctivitis is that one eye is most often affected at the beginning. When transferring the infection using an eye dropper, rubbing the eyes with your hands, wiping with a towel, and other methods, the infection spreads to a healthy eye.

The allergic variety affects both eyes at once and occurs upon contact with allergens - particles in washing powder, animal hair, yarn, house or book dust, plant pollen, etc. The contact form occurs when the mucous membrane of the eye comes into contact with the allergen. For example, when swimming in a pool with chlorinated water.

The reasons

In infants, inflammation of the mucous membrane often occurs, despite careful eye care. Reasons for this condition:

allergens;
infection during childbirth (for example, chlamydial infection);
bacteria (streptococci, pneumococci, staphylococci, gonococci);
weakened immunity;
infection with bacteria and viruses, the carrier of which is the mother;
herpes on the lips, genitals, mother's body;
non-observance of the purity of the body of the child and mother;
contamination of the mucous membrane of the eye, trauma, ingress of a foreign body, for example, when rubbing the organ with the hands;
blockage of the lacrimal canal;
viral diseases in an infant - a cold, adenovirus infection, herpes, SARS, acute respiratory infections, etc.

Risk group

Children up to a year old with weakened immunity are susceptible to the disease, because at this age and a little older there is constant contact with other children, hugs, kisses. The risk group includes babies where there is not enough eye care.

To prevent relapse, it is necessary to strengthen the body. It is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner to identify the pathogen and comprehensive treatment.

In an infant, the clinical picture of conjunctivitis is as follows:

redness of the conjunctiva and swelling;
yellow crusts on the eyelids, after sleep discharge of pus from the eyes;
glued eyelids, especially after sleep, it is difficult for a child to open his eyes;
photophobia, manifested by the capriciousness of the baby in bright, daylight;
decreased appetite, poor sleep, general malaise.

Newborns often cry, scream, rub their eyes. Older children, if they can speak, may complain of foreign body sensation, burning, and pain.

With inflammation caused by adenovirus infection, the temperature may rise, the throat may turn red. The defining sign of a herpes infection is clear blisters on the eyelid. These forms of the disease require timely access to a doctor and comprehensive treatment. In the absence of attention to the sources and symptoms, the deep structures of the organ of vision are affected. With a bacterial form, purulent discharge appears. With a viral infection, they are transparent.

The allergic form is accompanied by itching, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose or dry cough.

Diagnostics

To cure conjunctivitis and prevent the development of complications and damage to the deep structures of the eye, timely, accurate diagnosis and identification of the pathogen is necessary. It includes a number of activities carried out by the pediatrician:

examination of the mucous membrane of the eye;
history taking, listening to parents;
determination of the nature of the discharge;
detection of redness and other symptoms;
smear examination and bacteriological analysis.

In serious cases, if the disease progresses in a two-month-old baby, children younger than or up to a year old, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist.

Treatment

Therapy of conjunctivitis in infants is based on the use of different groups of eye drops, depending on the form of the disease. When instilled, it is important not to touch the mucous membrane of the eye and eyelids with a pipette, so as not to transfer the infection. Another important rule is to drip into both eyes, first healthy, then infected. After instillation, remove excess drug with a clean cotton swab.

Drops and other drugs prescribed by a pediatrician must be used throughout the course, despite the improvement in the child's condition. With insufficient duration of treatment, there is a risk of recurrence of conjunctivitis and the return of symptoms, with the use of antibacterial drugs - bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Eye wash

The procedure is necessary to remove the released pus, eliminate crusts and unpleasant sticking of the eyelids. Produced immediately before instillation of the drug and after sleep.

For washing the eyes, a decoction or infusion of chamomile is used, necessarily filtered, tea leaves, an aqueous solution of furacilin.

Antibacterial drugs

They are used as eye drops up to 4 times a day, sometimes more often after washing the eyes with antiseptic solutions.. They affect the cause and symptoms of the disease in bacterial conjunctivitis, but are ineffective in other types.

Permitted drugs:

Antivirals

To improve the condition with viral conjunctivitis, eye drops with interferon are prescribed - Oftalmoferon. With a disease provoked by the herpes virus, Zovirax and Acyclovir eye ointments are used. This takes into account the possible positive effects and side effects, risks to the health of the baby.

Antiallergic drugs

In the allergic form of conjunctivitis, the main rule for successful treatment is the identification and elimination of the allergen. With disturbing itching, sneezing, redness, swelling, approved antiallergic drugs in drops are used - Zirtek, Zodak, Suprastinex, Fenistil. In more severe cases, if necessary, after weighing the risks and benefits, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids (dexamethasone drops).

Antipyretic

If the disease is accompanied by a strong fever, approved antipyretics in syrup or suppositories are used.. Without a doctor's prescription, the maximum time for their use should not exceed 3 days.

Common drugs:

Nurofen (candles, syrup);
Panadol (same forms);
Efferalgan;
Cefekon (suppositories);
Paracetamol (suppositories and syrup);
Ibuprofen (syrup).

Nasolacrimal canal massage

It is a measure of prevention, treatment of blockage of the nasolacrimal canal, the occurrence of relapses and dacryocystitis. Before using the method, you should consult with a pediatrician, ask to show the technique.

Massage is especially useful for purulent inflammation to remove exudate. Actions are directed from the corners of the eye to the wings of the nose. Mom's nails should be cleaned and cut short, hands treated with an antibacterial solution.

Complications

With untimely diagnosis and treatment of conjunctivitis in infants, there is a high risk of the disease becoming chronic and frequent relapses. With the adenoviral and herpetic nature of inflammation, the deep structures of the eye are affected.

Possible complications:

scarring of mucosal tissues;
clouding of the cornea;
hemorrhage in the eyeball;
atrophy and erosion of the cornea;
eyelash loss and abnormal growth;
ulcers;
decline