15 MAC Pt. 2, Ch. 1, R. 1.17.12
Ophthalmia Neonatorum (Neonatal Gonococcal Ophthalmia): All physicians and
Cite as 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 2, Ch. 1, R. 1.17.12
Ophthalmia Neonatorum (Neonatal Gonococcal Ophthalmia): All physicians and
healthcare providers attending births must install in the eyes of the newborn no
more than 24 hours after delivery an appropriate dose of an antibiotic currently
recommended and approved for neonatal ocular prophylaxis for ophthalmia
neonatorum.
When recommended antibiotics for neonatal ocular prophylaxis are unavailable or
in limited supply, healthcare providers, hospitals and healthcare facilities
attending births should adhere to the following recommendations:
1. When supply is limited or unavailable, consider screening for
gonococcal infection at delivery for women who were not tested during
pregnancy and/or are at risk for infection.
a. If testing is done at delivery, ensure prompt follow up and
treatment of both mother and infant if testing is positive.
2. When supply is limited, reserve prophylaxis with appropriate
prophylactic ointment for infants at risk for gonococcal ophthalmia
neonatorum, to include:
a. Infants born to mothers with no prenatal care
b. Infants born to mothers at risk for gonococcal infection (e.g.,
women aged <25 years and those aged ≥25 years who have a new
sex partner, more than one sex partner, a sex partner with
concurrent partners, a sex partner who has an STI, or live in a
community with high rates of gonorrhea)
3.If an appropriate prophylactic ophthalmic antibiotic is unavailable, review
and consider following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommended alternative neonatal ocular prophylaxis regimen to prevent
gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum in those infants with risk factors noted
above.