[Ophthalmia neonatorum].

Silver nitrate prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum due to Neissera Gonorrhoeae was introduced by Crédé in 1884, when he instilled a drop of 2% silver nitrate into the cul-de-sac of a newborn. Today, the prime cause of ophthalmia neonatorum is infection by Chlamydia trachomatis. The high incidence of this type of conjunctivitis is due to the frequent exposure of the newborn during delivery and to the ineffectiveness of silver nitrate as a prophylaxis against Chlamydia. In the study reported here, 198 infants less than one month old were examined because of severe bilateral conjunctivitis. In the first week of life a chemical irritation caused by Crédé's prophylaxis was found in the majority (59.7%), but in the second and third weeks infections with Chlamydia trachomatis were found in 27% of all cases. Bacteria were responsible for the infection in 52% of the cases. No gonococci were found in any of the patients examined in the course of the study.