USPSTF Reaffirms Recommendations for Eye Infection in Newborns

The USPSTF has again recommended the use of ocular topical medication for the prevention of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum (GON) in all newborns.

GON, which can cause corneal scarring, ocular perforation, and blindness within as little as 24 hours after birth is present in 0.2 to 1.6 per 100,000 births per year.

To reaffirm the group’s 2011 Grade A recommendation, they conducted a targeted evidence review with the purpose of identifying substantial new evidence that could justify a change to the prior recommendation.

Following their analysis, the USPSTF found “convincing evidence that ocular prophylaxis of newborns with 0.5% erythromycin ophthalmic ointment can prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.”

“The USPSTF found no new substantial evidence that could change its recommendation and, therefore, reaffirms its recommendation to provide prophylactic ocular topical medication for all newborns to prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

USPSTF. Ocular prophylaxis for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum: preventive medication. September 2018. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/draft-recommendation-statement/ocular-prophylaxis-for-gonococcal-ophthalmia-neonatorum-preventive-medication1.