Question

Which among the following is the most common cause of neonatal blindness?

• A. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• B. Chlamydia trachomatis
• C. Klebsiella
• D. Enterobacter

Hint:

Gonococcus can penetrate an intact cornea, so it is the blinding cause of ophthalmia neonatorum.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Ophthalmia neonatorum is a purulent conjunctivitis occurring in the first four weeks of life, usually acquired from the mother's birth canal during delivery.
Step 2: The two leading causative organisms are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. While Chlamydia is overall the more frequent cause of neonatal conjunctivitis, gonococcal infection is the one that causes blindness.
Step 3: Neisseria gonorrhoeae produces a hyperacute, severe purulent conjunctivitis that can rapidly penetrate the intact cornea, leading to corneal ulceration, perforation, and permanent blindness if untreated. Hence it is the most common cause of neonatal blindness.
Step 4: Klebsiella and Enterobacter are uncommon causes of neonatal conjunctivitis and are not classic causes of blindness in this setting. Therefore option A (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) is correct.