A study of Ophthalmia Neonatorum in the Central Reion of Ghana: Causative Agents and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns

• Published in: Global pediatric health 2021, Vol.8, p.2333794X211019700-2333794X211019700
• Main Authors: Boadi-Kusi, Samuel Bert, Kyei, Samuel, Holdbrook, Selina, Abu, Emmanuel Kwasi, Ntow, Jonathan, Ateko, Abena Mantebea
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Developing countries; Disease prevention; LDCs; Maternal & child health; Neonates; Original; Prevention; Prophylaxis; Public health; Risk factors
• ISSN: 2333-794X; 2333-794X
• DOI: 10.1177/2333794X211019700

In developing countries such as Ghana, ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) remains a public health concern. This is because of its unknown etiology patterns, the growing concerns of antibiotic resistance strains and the contribution of ON to childhood blindness. This study was therefore conducted to determine the causative agents, risk factors and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of micro-organisms associated with ON. A clinic-based prospective study was conducted in the Maternal and Child Health units of six health care facilities in the Central region of Ghana over a period of 17 months. Conjunctival swabs were taken from all neonates with clinical signs of ON. Isolation and characterization of bacteria were done using standard microbiological methods. Additionally, data were collected and analyzed on neonate’s demographics and clinical features of ON. Microbial growth was recorded in 86 cases (52.4%) out of the 110 neonates assessed. Staphylococcus spp. (39.2% of all positive cultures) was the most common causative organism. No case of gonococcus was isolated. Delivery method, vaginal discharge, administration of prophylaxis and weight of neonate were the risk factors associated with the development of ON (P