Conjunctivitis in Toddlers & New Borns

A pink-eye can be a result of viruses and bacteria which is responsible for common cold and infection of the ear, sinus, and sore throat.

The type of pink-eye which is non-infectious includes:

• Allergic conjunctivitis, which is more common in children.

• Irritant conjunctivitis which is a result of an eye irritation such as chlorine present in pools as well as air pollution.

Pink-eye in case of New-borns

New-borns are at a risk of pink-eye and develop health complications if not timely treated. In case a pregnant woman suffers from an STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), during the delivery the virus can pass into the baby’s eyes resulting in pink-eye. To prevent this, your doctor can prescribe eye drop for babies immediately after birth. Doctors can also screen women prior delivery to check for any STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and prevent them from being passed onto the baby.

Pink-eye in case of Toddlers

Pink-eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common eye condition that can affect toddlers. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the white part of the eye and inner eyelids. Pink-eye can be caused by bacteria or viruses and is highly contagious. Symptoms include redness, eye discomfort, discharge, pain, swelling, and sensitivity to light. Toddlers may also experience swollen eyelids or sensitivity to bright light. It is important to seek medical attention for toddlers with pink-eye to prevent any potential complications. Treatment options include antibiotic eye drops or ointment for bacterial pink-eye, while viral pink-eye usually resolves on its own. It is crucial to practice good hygiene and take preventive measures to avoid the spread of pink-eye among toddlers.

Signs and Symptoms of Pink eye

The signs of a pink-eye include the following:

• Discomfort in eyes

• Presence of discharge from the eye

• Pain and swelling

• Swollen eyelids

• Sensitivity to bright light

• Itchiness and watery eyes, common in case of allergic conjunctivitis

Is it contagious?

If it is caused by a bacteria or virus, pink-eye can be contagious. Pink-eye caused by bacteria can spread quickly to others as symptoms begin to appear for as long as there is a discharge from the eye.

In case of allergic and irritant conjunctivitis, they are not contagious. Your child can get pink-eye either by contacting an infected person or touching something infected. It can also spread through coughing, sneezing, swimming in contaminated water or sharing infectious towels.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you witness any of the mentioned symptoms in your child, you can visit the doctor to help ensure the right treatment.

A pink-eye cause due to virus usually goes away without the need for a treatment and in the case of a bacteria, a doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointment for treatment.

References

1. Chawla R, Kellner JD, Astle WF. (2001). Acute infectious conjunctivitis in childhood. Paediatr Child Health. NCBI

2. Wadhwani M, D'souza P, Jain R, Dutta R, Saili A, Singh A. (2011). Conjunctivitis in the newborn- a comparative study. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. NCBI

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Conjunctivitis in New Borns in Telugu, Conjunctivitis in New Borns in Bengali, Conjunctivitis in New Borns in Tamil