Epidemiology of ophthalmia neonatorum: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeTo elucidate the global epidemiology of Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON), as well as its causative organisms and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.MethodsA systematic review of studies reporting the epidemiology of ON was performed using four electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline. Data were extracted and study-specific estimates were combined using meta-analysis to obtain pooled proportions.ResultsA total of 25 studies, which evaluated the epidemiology of ON in 1,117,966 live births, were included in this study. A total of 2,902 cases of ON were identified. The global incidence and prevalence of ON are 2.04% [(95% CI 0.70-5.79%), I2 = 99.4%] and 7.79% [(95% CI 2.93-19.10%), I2 = 99.1%], respectively. Staphylococcus spp. (gram-positive) and Serratia marcescens (gram-negative) were the most frequently isolated bacteria associated with the incidence of ON. The pooled resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are highest to Penicillin [91.67% (95% CI 87.96-94.31%) and 100.00% (95% CI 0.00-100.00%), respectively], and lowest to Gentamicin [20% (95% CI 15.85-24.91%) and 59.30% (95% CI 52.36-65.89%), respectively]. The pooled resistance of Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella spp. to Gentamicin are 50% [(95% CI 43.11 to 56.89%), I2 = 0.00%] and 50.02% [(95% CI 27.50-72.53%), I2 = 95.3%], respectively.ConclusionON is a common ocular morbidity in neonates, especially in those from low-income settings. It is important that all newborns receive adequate preventive care, regardless of their socioeconomic status, in order to reduce the risk of visual impairment and blindness.