Topical treatment for chlamydial conjunctivitis in the neonate should consist of which medication?

• A. Antiviral trifluridine ointment
• B. Sulfacetamide drops or ointment
• C. Tetracycline ointment
• D. Erythromycin ointment

Answer: (B)

Chlamydial conjunctivitis in newborns requires systemic antibiotics because the organism is intracellular and topical therapy alone won’t clear the infection. The topical option listed is sulfacetamide drops or ointment, which provides local antibacterial coverage to help with conjunctival discharge and irritation when used alongside systemic therapy. Other choices are less appropriate for this condition: antiviral drops target herpes infections, tetracycline ointment is not recommended in neonates due to effects on teeth and bone, and erythromycin ointment is mainly used for prevention and treatment of gonococcal conjunctivitis rather than as the primary topical treatment for chlamydia. In practice, the key treatment for neonatal chlamydial conjunctivitis is systemic erythromycin (or another appropriate systemic antibiotic), with topical sulfacetamide used as an adjunct to address local symptoms.