Final answer:
A newborn with ophthalmia neonatorum was likely exposed to the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which causes gonorrhea, during childbirth.
Step-by-step explanation:
A newborn diagnosed with ophthalmia neonatorum was exposed to gonorrhea. This condition, also known as neonatal conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva in newborns. It is commonly caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that causes gonorrhea, transmitted during childbirth when the baby passes through the birth canal. To prevent serious complications such as corneal scarring and potential blindness, hospitals administer antibiotic drops or ointments to newborns' eyes as a standard preventative treatment.
Other common causes of neonatal conjunctivitis include Chlamydia trachomatis, which can cause inclusion conjunctivitis, another form of the disease. These infections are treated aggressively with appropriate antibiotics to prevent damage to the newborn's eyesight.