Perinatal risk factors and bacteriological profile of conjunctivitis were studied among 245 newborns delivered at JIPMER Hospital between July 1986 and June 1988. Maternal and neonatal factors like lack of antenatal care, presence of adverse intrapartum factors, operative deliveries, birth asphyxia, pre-maturity and prolonged hospital stay significantly increased the chances of developing conjunctivitis (P less than 0.001). Bacteria were recovered from 163 (66.5%) cases. Staphylococcus was the commonest pathogenic bacteria isolated, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated in only one case. Most of the organisms showed in vitro sensitivity to chloramphenicol, gentamycin and tetracycline. All the cases responded to topical chloramphenicol except three which required systemic antibiotics. No complications were observed. The identification and appropriate management of high risk pregnancies with minimal hospital stay can reduce the incidence of neonatal conjunctivitis.