Why Give Erythromycin After Birth?

Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON) is an infection known as neonatal conjunctivitis that causes inflammation of the conjunctiva during the first four weeks of life. This is a serious eye infection that can occur in babies born to mothers with gonorrhea.

Care providers in some countries try to prevent ON by giving all newborns eye ointment (such as erythromycin). The eye ointment is intended to kill or weaken bacteria in the eye-particularly gonorrhea-to protect the infant from getting pink eye since pink eye from gonorrhea can cause serious eye damage and blindness if left untreated.

The US Preventative Services Task Force (US PSTF) has deemed erythromycin for the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum safe and effective.

One might consider opting out of the erythromycin ointment if the pregnant mother has been screened for gonorrhea and chlamydia, or is in a long-term monogamous relationship, and continues to remain in a monogamous relationship throughout the pregnancy. Please speak to your provider to further discuss.