A newborn develops mild bilateral conjunctival injection and a watery discharge within the first 12 hours of life. The mother received routine antenatal care and delivered in hospital. The most likely diagnosis is:
- A Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum
- B Chemical conjunctivitis from silver nitrate prophylaxis ✓
- C Neonatal inclusion conjunctivitis
- D Herpes simplex ophthalmia neonatorum
Correct answer: B. Chemical conjunctivitis from silver nitrate prophylaxis
Explanation
Chemical irritative conjunctivitis appears within hours of birth, typically within the first day, following instillation of prophylactic silver nitrate drops, and settles spontaneously in 1 to 2 days. Gonococcal ophthalmia presents later, classically 2 to 5 days after birth with profuse purulent discharge. Chlamydial inclusion conjunctivitis has the latest onset, usually 5 to 14 days, and herpes simplex typically presents in the second week of life.
Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.