Ophthalmia neonatorum refers to conjunctivitis occurring in the neonatal period, typically within the first month of life. The classic organisms are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, but other bacterial and viral pathogens can also cause neonatal conjunctivitis. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum is the most urgent prevention target because it can progress rapidly. N. gonorrhoeae can invade conjunctival tissue, produce intense purulent inflammation, and damage the cornea. The USPSTF notes that gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum can cause corneal scarring, ocular perforation, and blindness as early as 24 hours after birth; without ocular prophylaxis, transmission rates from an infected mother to the newborn are estimated at 30% to 50%. Chlamydial conjunctivitis has a different clinical pattern. The CDC states that neonatal C. trachomatis infection is most frequently recognized as conjunctivitis developing 5 to 12 days after birth, and it can also cause subacute afebrile pneumonia at 1 to 3 months of age. For Canadian NP practice / CNPLE-aligned preparation (Canada), items rarely announce the topic in the first sentence. Anchor to objective data, trajectory, and the safest next step for the role named in...