A neonate is an infant from the time the foetus is delivered from the mother and the umbilical cord is tied until 28 days after birth.
Neonatal dacryocystitis is the most common cause of excessive eye discharge in newborns. When the Hasner valve covering the nasal end of the nasolacrimal duct becomes membranous and obstructed, the baby often presents with lacrimal overflow at birth or shortly afterwards.
Most congenital Hasner valve obstructions open spontaneously 4-6 weeks after birth, so local massage and antibiotic eye drops can be used first. Surgical treatment is only considered after the age of six months. Due to the unique nature of the neonatal population, antibiotic treatment is usually limited by type and parents are advised to consult a specialist hospital to prescribe medication.
In addition babies can develop infections of the birth canal during delivery, such as gonococcal infections with copious purulent discharges. Neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis has an incubation period of 2 to 5 days and often involves both eyes. Severe cases may develop corneal ulceration or even endophthalmitis and should be examined and treated professionally in hospital.