What is the recommended prophylactic treatment for ophthalmia neonatorum?

The recommended prophylactic treatment for ophthalmia neonatorum is erythromycin eye ointment. This practice is primarily aimed at preventing infections that can be transmitted during childbirth, particularly from maternal sources such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Erythromycin is effective against these organisms and is favored due to its ease of administration and low risk of toxicity, making it suitable for newborns.

The use of erythromycin eye ointment has become a standard recommendation in many guidelines for newborn care because it not only addresses the prevention of gonococcal infections but also offers some protection against chlamydial infections. Its application is typically performed shortly after birth, thereby maximizing its protective effect during the early days when newborns are most vulnerable to infections.

While other treatments like silver nitrate solution and gentamicin eye drops may have been used historically or in specific cases, erythromycin ointment is now recognized as the most appropriate and widely accepted prophylactic measure against ophthalmia neonatorum in modern practice.