§ 18-308. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum

   (a) Use of prophylactic. -- Immediately after the birth of a child, the attending physician or attending nurse midwife shall use in the eyes of the child a prophylactic, approved by the Department, against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.

(b) Tests required. -- If, within 2 weeks after the birth of a child, an eye of the child becomes inflamed or swollen:

   (1) The attending physician shall test to determine if gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum is the cause of the inflammation or swelling; or

   (2) If there is no attending physician, any other individual who has care of the child shall report the condition immediately to a physician or to the health officer for the county where the child is located, so that testing may be done.

(c) Report by physician. -- Within 48 hours after a physician knows that a child under the physician's care has gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, the physician shall submit a report to the Department.

(d) Treatment restricted. -- An individual other than a physician may not treat the inflammation or swelling.

(e) Penalties. -- A person who violates any provision of subsection (b)(2) or (d) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 100 or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 273; art. 43, § 38B; 1982, ch. 21, § 2; 2010, ch. 72.