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Definition of Ophthalmia neonatorum
1. Noun. Ophthalmia in newborns; contracted while passing through the birth canal; usually prevented with silver nitrate drops.
Medical Definition of Ophthalmia neonatorum
1. Acute conjunctival inflammation in the newborn, usually caused by maternal gonococcal infection. The causative agent is neisseria gonorrhoeae. The baby's eyes are contaminated during passage through the birth canal. (12 Dec 1998)