Ophthalmia neonatorum as the presenting sign of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

The most common ocular manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 in adults and children is acute conjunctivitis. We report the case of a 4-day-old infant who presented with acute-onset mucopurulent discharge of the left eye as well as subconjunctival hemorrhage and palpebral injection, without corneal findings. A diagnosis of ophthalmia neonatorum was established, for which ocular cultures and Gram staining were performed. No bacterial growth was noted, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, and herpes simplex were negative. Nasopharyngeal and conjunctival SARS-CoV-2 PCR were positive. Given the identification of SARS-CoV-2 illness, lack of other underlying bacterial or viral etiology on testing, and the well-documented ability for SARS-CoV-2 to cause conjunctivitis, the clinical picture was supportive of ophthalmia neonatorum secondary to SARS-CoV-2. The infant was treated with ceftriaxone and azithromycin prior to culture results. During admission, no systemic findings of Covid-19 illness were observed.