From the Guidelines
Breast milk is not recommended as a treatment for neonatal conjunctivitis. While breast milk contains some antibodies and anti-inflammatory properties, it is not an effective or appropriate treatment for eye infections in newborns. Neonatal conjunctivitis requires proper medical evaluation and treatment, typically with antibiotic eye drops or ointment prescribed by a healthcare provider. According to the most recent guidelines 1, common medications used include erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, which is also used as a standard prophylactic agent to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. The standard treatment regimen usually involves applying the prescribed medication to the affected eye(s) several times daily for 5-7 days.
Causes and Treatment
Neonatal conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria (including gonorrhea and chlamydia), viruses, or chemical irritation, and proper identification of the cause is essential for effective treatment.
- Bacterial causes: such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, require antibiotic treatment, as outlined in the guidelines 1.
- Viral causes: may require antiviral medication, and supportive care.
- Chemical irritation: may require removal of the irritant, and supportive care. Using breast milk instead of medical treatment could delay appropriate care and potentially lead to serious complications, including corneal damage or systemic infection. If a newborn shows signs of eye redness, discharge, or swelling, parents should seek immediate medical attention rather than attempting home remedies. Prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis is also crucial, and can be achieved through prenatal screening and treatment of the expectant mother, and prophylactic treatment of the infant at birth, as recommended in the guidelines 1.
From the Research
Treatment of Neonatal Conjunctivitis
- Neonatal conjunctivitis can be caused by various infectious agents, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2, 3.
- The use of antibiotic ointments, such as erythromycin and tetracycline, has been studied as a potential treatment for neonatal conjunctivitis 4, 5.
- However, there is no evidence to suggest that breast milk is an effective treatment for neonatal conjunctivitis.
Efficacy of Antibiotic Ointments
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that erythromycin at a dose of 50 mg/kg per day for 14 days resulted in high clinical and microbiological cure rates for neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis 4.
- Another study found that neonatal ocular prophylaxis with erythromycin or tetracycline ophthalmic ointments did not reduce the incidence of neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis or respiratory infection in infants born to mothers with C. trachomatis infection 5.
Breast Milk as a Treatment
- There are no research papers to assist in answering the question of whether breast milk can treat neonatal conjunctivitis.