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188
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
This disease is an inflammation of the eyes of newly born infants, resulting in a purulent
discharge within '21 days of birth. It has been compulsorily notifiable in London since 1911.
During the first few years the incidence averaged about 5 cases per 1,000 births in St. Pancras
Borough. By 1920 the incidence had reached 11, and this remained the approximate figure
for several years.
Form as Desirid by Ministry of Health.
Additional Information.
Cases
Notified
Treated
At
Home.
In
Hospital.
Vision
not Impaired.
Vision
Impaired.
Total
Blindness.
Deaths
Incidence
Rate per
1,000 Births.
District
Nurse in
Attendance
provided by
Borough
Council.
Cases treated
in Special
Hospital
provided by
L.C.C.
1937
1936
1935
1934
1933
1932
1931
1930
1929
1928
271d
32a
23*
33
42
74
45
31‡
36
32
16
15
11
17
23
56
26
23
21
24
11
16
12
16
19
18
19
8
15
8
23
26b
21¶
31
40§
73
43†
30
34
32
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1e
3c
—
2g
2¶
1
1*
1*
—
11.4
13.4
9.3
13.5
16.2
27.6
15.2
9.1
11.4
9.8
11
7
7
14
14
30
18
17
11
12
9
11
10
15
19
15
14
6
12
6
Due to other causes. + Several cases removed to unknown addresses. ‡ Excluding one case, information unobtainable.
|| Died from Prematurity, Congenital Heart Disease and Gonorrhœal Ophthalmia.
§ One moved away to unknown addrese.
¶ (1) Died—Prematurity. Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
(2) Died—Gastro Enteritis. Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Mongolism, Imbecility.
g (1) Died—Acute Bronchitis (before eyes had recovered).
(2) Died—Prematurity. Ophthalmia Neonatorum. Gonococcal infection.
• Excluding one case brought to notice other than by notification. Three cases who moved and were not traced before complete
recovery are not included.
a Including one case which came to notice after death. b One moved—unable to trace. c One Prematurity, Gonorrhoea ;
one Prematurity ; one Prematurity, Gonorrhoea, Ophthalmia Neonatorum, Jaundice of the Newborn.
d Including two cases which moved to unknown address before recovery. e Prematurity, Ophthalmia Neonatorum
(Gonorrhoea).
In addition to the above, there were 25 cases of Mild Inflammation not notifiable as
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Out of the 27 notifications this year, three were considered "grave", twelve were
of "moderate" severity, and twelve were returned as "slight."
A purulent discharge from the eyes of an infant occurring within the specified period
given above is required to be notified irrespective of the cause of this condition. Ophthalmia
Neonatorum therefore is not necessarily due to a Gonococcal infection.
The purpose of this regulation is to prevent the possibility of delay in the treatment of
gonorrheal conjunctivitis. This most serious condition is responsible for a high proportion of
cases of blindness and is due to infection from the mother.
Amongst the preventive measures to be taken ante-natal examination and treatment
of the mother should be included. This attention was given in all but one case.
Post-natal care should be continued in these cases until the mother is free from
infection.
For particulars of visits paid in respect of this condition see Table IV (page 121),