What is the primary use of oral erythromycin in neonates?

Oral erythromycin is primarily used in neonates to treat chlamydia infections, specifically chlamydia trachomatis, which can cause conjunctivitis and pneumonia in infants. If a neonate is exposed to chlamydia during delivery, they are at risk for developing conjunctivitis within the first few weeks of life and potentially also develop pneumonia later on.

The antibiotic is effective in reducing the infection's impact and ensuring that any subsequent complications, particularly respiratory issues, are mitigated. This makes its use in this context critical for managing and treating neonatal chlamydia infections effectively.

While other treatment options exist for different conditions such as neonatal sepsis or gonococcal conjunctivitis, they do not align with the primary use of oral erythromycin in neonates, hence its specific application in addressing chlamydia infections is particularly emphasized in pediatric care.