Chlamydia, pregnancy and the newborn

Men and women can both be affected by Chlamydia, but symptoms of the infection are not always present. In fact, up to 75% of women and 50% of men experience no symptoms of Chlamydia. Because Chlamydia can easily be passed to your newborn, causing illness and possible tissue damage, it is important to get tested if you are experiencing any Chlamydia symptoms or are pregnant.

A baby who is exposed to C. trachomatis in the birth canal during delivery may develop an eye infection or pneumonia.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis, which include discharge and swollen eyelids, usually develop within the first 10 days of life.

Symptoms of pneumonia, including a cough that gets steadily worse and congestion, most often develop within 3 to 6 weeks of birth. Health care providers can treat both conditions successfully with antibiotics. Because of these risks to the newborn, many providers recommend that all pregnant women get tested for chlamydia as part of their prenatal care.
(Reproduced from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

If you are pregnant it is important to be tested, even if you are exhibiting none of the signs and symptoms of Chlamydia. Chlamydia has been linked with premature delivery resulting from the infection stimulating the rupture of your uterine membranes. Additionally, Chlamydia can cause your baby to have a low birth weight at birth. The infection can also be easily passed to your child during birth.

As your baby passes through the birth canal, she will come into contact with your blood and vaginal fluids. The bacteria that cause Chlamydia, Chlamydia trachomatis, are passed through contact with these fluids. In fact, between 20% and 50% of babies born to infected mothers will contract the infection. If your baby contracts Chlamydia from you during pregnancy, it is possible that she will develop infections in the genitals, lungs, ears, and eyes. Babies infected with Chlamydia are at a particular risk for developing neonatal conjunctivitis (pink eye) and pneumonia.

Symptoms of Chlamydia in Newborns
If you are pregnant and infected with Chlamydia, there is a good chance that your baby will also contract the illness.  Even though your baby’s symptoms can vary, from very mild to severe, it is necessary to seek treatment as soon as possible. Conjunctivitis can be very damaging to your newborn’s eyes and can cause scarring and even permanent blindness. 50% of newborns with Chlamydia pneumonia will develop Chlamydial conjunctivitis.

Neonatal conjunctivitis is an infection caused by chlamydia that occurs in your baby’s eyes.
Neonatal conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a red eye in a newborn caused by infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct. When caused by an infection, neonatal conjunctivitis can be very serious.
Symptoms of inclusion conjunctivitis include redness of the eye(s), swelling of the eyelids, and discharge of pus, and are likely to appear 5 to 12 days after birth. Although your baby will be alert and aware, his eyes will be irritated and red. Oral antibiotics are usually given for treatment of inclusion conjunctivitis.

Chlamydia infections in newborns can also lead to Infant Pneumonia. Symptoms of this infection develop between three and six weeks after birth. Your baby will exhibit a dry, irritating cough, which will gradually become more congested. Symptoms will become worse and can include rapid or labored breathing.

What can I do for my baby?

For an eye infection:
Wash the eyes with a clean washcloth and water.  Wipe the eyes from the inner corner to the outer corner with a separate area of the washcloth for each eye, making sure all dried drainage is gone.  Apply eye drops or ointment as prescribed by the doctor.

Most babies may return to day care after they have no drainage and have used the prescribed medicine for at least 24 hours.

For pneumonia, antibiotics will be prescribed to give by mouth.

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