Prevention of Blindness

PURPOSE: This rule prevents the newborn infant from contracting gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum or chlamydia ophthalmia neonatorum, or both, during birth from an infected mother. (1) It shall be the duty of every physician or other person in attendance upon a newborn infant or its mother to instill five-tenths percent (0.5%) erythromycin ophthalmic ointment or drops in single-use tubes or ampules; or tetracycline one percent (1%) ophthalmic ointment or drops in single-use tubes or ampules; or one percent (1%) silver nitrate solution into each eye of the newborn infant immediately after birth and to report this on the birth certificate. AUTHORITY: section 192.020, RSMo 1986.* This rule was previously filed as 13 CSR 50107.010. Original rule filed April 22, 1955, effective June 21, 1955. Amended: Filed Nov. 4, 1985, effective March 24, 1986. *Original authority: 192.020, RSMo 1939, amended 1945, 1951.