Untreated gonorrhea in a newborn can cause which serious neonatal complication?

• A. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum with purulent discharge, potentially leading to blindness
• B. Hearing loss
• C. Cleft lip
• D. Diarrhea

Answer: (A)

Newborns exposed to gonorrhea in the birth canal can develop a severe eye infection called ophthalmia neonatorum. If untreated, Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes a purulent conjunctivitis that can rapidly involve the cornea, leading to corneal ulceration, perforation, and potentially permanent blindness. This is why the eye infection described as purulent discharge is the serious neonatal complication associated with untreated gonorrhea.

Hearing loss, cleft lip, and diarrhea are not typical complications of perinatal gonorrheal infection. Hearing loss is more often linked to other congenital infections or conditions, cleft lip is a developmental anomaly, and diarrhea is nonspecific and not a defining consequence of neonatal gonorrhea. Prophylaxis at birth and prompt treatment are key preventive and management steps.