A nationwide survey of prophylaxis against ophthalmia neonatorum in Turkey

Aim: To analyze the current practice of neonatal conjunctivitis (ophthalmia neonatorum) prophylaxis in Turkey. Materials and methods: A standard questionnaire that collected information regarding the name and location of the clinical setting, the name and dosage of the medication used to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis (if there was any), and the department and preference concerning which health workers should administer the agent (gynecologist, pediatrician, or midwife) was prepared and administered to 24 university hospitals as well as to 24 registered community hospitals that had both pediatric and obstetric units. Results: Neonatal conjunctivitis prophylaxis was administered by 58.3% of the respondents (university hospitals [66.7%] and community hospitals [50%]). The 2 most frequently used substances were gentamycin 18/28 (64.3%) and tobramycin 4/28 (8.3%). Other substances were tetracycline, silver nitrate, povidone-iodine, bacitracin + neomycin, and penicillin G. Conclusion: A nationwide consensus on the clinical department that should be involved, which health workers should administer the agent (gynecologist, pediatrician, or midwife), and which substance should be used for ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis must be reached. By using a similar survey other Countries may also assess their Current situation, and decrease the occurrence of neonatal conjunctivitis and neonatal blindness by administering the appropriate substances.