AIM: To explore the treatment of neonatal dacryocystitis of different ages and the relationship between caesarean section and neonatal dacryocystitis.

METHODS: A total of 260 cases(260 eyes)of children with neonatal dacryocystitis were divided into 1-3 months group, 4-6 months group, 7-12 months group and 13-24 months group, Each group was respectively given the lacrimal sac massage, lacrimal passage irrigation and probing of lacrimal passage method. Curative effect of each method was observed in different groups. Analysis was made to determine whether caesarean section was the cause of neonatal dacryocystitis.

RESULTS: The comparison between 1-3 months group and 4-6 months group showed significant difference(χ²=19.89, P<0.05). Lacrimal sac massage was effective for babies under 6 months, particularly in 1-3 months babies. The curative effect of lacrimal passage irrigation in four groups was compared, and there was statistical significance in the difference between the curative effect of each group(χ²=54.95, P<0.05). The difference between the 1-3 months group and 4-6 months group was χ²=0.00003, P>0.05, lacrimal passage irrigation of these two groups showed no significant difference in efficacy. The comparison result between the other two groups showed no significant difference(P<0.05), lacrimal passage irrigation effects are different from each group. The comparison result between 7-12 months group and 13-24 months group was χ²=10.29, P<0.05. Infants born by cesarean section accounted for 85% of all cases.

CONCLUSION:Lacrimal sac massage can exert very good therapeutic effects in infants less than 3 months. The curative effects of irrigation of lacrimal passage are quite good in babies under 12 months. Probing of lacrimal passage has a good curative effect in 7-12 months infants, but a poor curative effect in babies over 12 months. Caesarean section is an important cause for neonatal dacryocystitis.