Abstract
Objective: To determine cumulative incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis (NC) in babies delivered at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), establish the responsible microorganisms and their sensitivity to available antibiotics and determine factors associated with neonatal conjunctivitis among these babies.
Methods: A prospective cohort study where babies delivered at MRRH whose mothers stayed in Mbarara municipality were recruited within 24 hours after birth and weekly follow up was done until the occurrence of NC, or lost to follow up or administrative censoring at 28 days. Neonates who developed conjunctivitis had a conjunctival swab taken for microbiology.
Results: Out of 438 babies recruited, 45 (10.3%) were lost to follow up while 49 (11.2%, 95% CI 8.4 – 14.5) developed neonatal conjunctivitis by 28 days. Isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus 23 (67.65%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 7 (20.59%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae 3 (8.82%) and Streptococcus pyogenes 1(2.94%). In 15 (30.6%) of 49 cultures done there was no growth. Isolates tested had only 18% sensitivity to tetracycline. However there was 100% sensitivity to gentamycin and oxacillin, while slightly lower sensitivity was achieved for ceftriaxone (76%), ciprofloxacin (68%) and chloramphenical (61%). Not receiving prophylaxis within 24 hours after birth [adjusted OR 4.85 CI (1.17 – 20.19)] and neonatal admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) after delivery [adjusted OR 6.03 CI (1.09 – 33.32)] were independently associated with higher odds of developing NC.
Conclusions: The incidence of NC was unexpectedly high. Admission to NICU and lack of prophylaxis within 24 hours were risk factors for developing NC.
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