What is a common preventive measure at birth to protect newborns from gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum?

• A. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment prophylaxis for the newborn
• B. Silver nitrate eye drops prophylaxis for the newborn
• C. Antibiotic prophylaxis for the mother during labor
• D. No prophylaxis is used routinely

Answer: (A)

Preventing gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum is achieved by giving an antibiotic directly to the newborn’s eyes right after birth. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment provides rapid local protection on the ocular surface, reducing the chance that Neisseria gonorrhoeae encountered during passage through the birth canal will establish infection. It’s practical, fast, and effective, which is why it’s the preferred routine measure. Older methods like silver nitrate were used in the past but can cause irritation and are less consistently effective. Treating the mother during labor doesn’t directly prevent the baby’s eye infection, and doing nothing isn’t appropriate given the infection risk.