Erythromycin eye drops in newborns are used to prevent conjunctivitis caused by which organism?

• A. E. coli
• B. Haemophilus influenzae
• C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• D. Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Answer: (D)

Prophylactic erythromycin eye drops in newborns are given to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. During birth, the baby can be exposed to gonococci present in the birth canal, and untreated infection can cause a rapidly progressing and potentially severe conjunctival infection that threatens vision. The topical antibiotic provides immediate protection at the ocular surface, reducing the risk of this gonococcal conjunctivitis. Other bacteria like E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae, or Pseudomonas can cause conjunctivitis, but the routine newborn prophylaxis is specifically aimed at Neisseria gonorrhoeae because of the severe, rapidly destructive nature of that infection.