Question:
Which is the most common cause of neonatal blindness?
Which is the most common cause of neonatal blindness?
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Hyperacute purulent gonococcal conjunctivitis can melt the cornea.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Klebsiella
- Enterobacter
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Ophthalmia neonatorum is a purulent conjunctivitis occurring in the first four weeks of life, acquired by the baby during passage through an infected birth canal.
Step 2: The two leading organisms are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Of these, gonococcal infection is the most concerning because it is highly aggressive, can rapidly cause corneal ulceration and perforation, and is therefore the most common infective cause of neonatal blindness. So the answer is Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Step 3: Why the others are wrong. Chlamydia produces a milder inclusion conjunctivitis that less often blinds. Klebsiella and Enterobacter are uncommon causes of neonatal conjunctivitis and are not the classic blinding agents in this setting.
Step 2: The two leading organisms are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Of these, gonococcal infection is the most concerning because it is highly aggressive, can rapidly cause corneal ulceration and perforation, and is therefore the most common infective cause of neonatal blindness. So the answer is Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Step 3: Why the others are wrong. Chlamydia produces a milder inclusion conjunctivitis that less often blinds. Klebsiella and Enterobacter are uncommon causes of neonatal conjunctivitis and are not the classic blinding agents in this setting.
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