Background. Neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis is an
easily preventable, though still highly prevalent infectious
disease in low-income countries and if left untreated it is
associated with major local and systemic complications that
threat new-borns’ health.
Case presentation. We present two cases of severe
neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis with unilateral corneal
involvement in new-born children, after unattended home
deliveries in rural Ethiopia. Despite antibiotic treatment, in
one case, surgical corneal repair was necessary in order to
avoid excessive scarring and subsequent unilateral blindness
of the child.
Conclusions. As the presence of an ophthalmologist in
sub-Saharan Africa is very rare, many children in the same
condition may become blind due to lack of trained surgeons.
For these reasons, screening programmes for sexually
transmitted infections in pregnant women with suspect
vaginal discharge should be implemented by local authorities;
as well as local prophylaxis with tetracyclin eye-ointment
being made available in rural communities.