# jubaer145/neonatal-ocular-prophylaxis

## Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

### Purpose of the protocol

To reaffirm the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2011 recommendation on ocular prophylaxis for gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.

### Target population

- Newborns

### Recommendation

The USPSTF recommends prophylactic ocular topical medication for all newborns to prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.

### Importance

- Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum rates are estimated at 0.4 cases per 100,000 live births per year in the United States.
- Can cause severe outcomes like corneal scarring, ocular perforation, and blindness within 24 hours after birth.
- Without prophylaxis, transmission rates from mother to newborn range between 30% to 50%.

### Conclusion

There is convincing evidence that topical ocular prophylaxis for all newborns provides substantial benefit and is not associated with serious harms.

### Resources

#### Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

Recommendation for prophylactic ocular topical medication for all newborns to prevent gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.

[View Resource Paper](https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/ocular-prophylaxis-for-gonococcal-ophthalmia-neonatorum-preventive-medication)