An infant's awareness of the world is due to vision. Although serious eye problems are rare in infants, eye checkups are an important part of medical regime. Blood disorders are more frequent than eye problems and most of them are cured with medical treatment.
Eye Problems
Blocked Tear Ducts
In some babies, tear ducts don’t open completely at the time of birth. This partial blockage normally clears in a few months, but while they are still clearing, the baby’s eyes become watery and sticky, especially after sleep. If at 12 months of age, the tear duct still remains blocked, your baby might be referred to an eye specialist for treatment.
Symptoms
- weepy, constantly running eyes
- nostrils remain dry when the baby cries
Most often, this problem does not require any treatment. Massaging the area under the eye right where the duct is located will help. Also, frequently wiping your baby’s eye with boiled cooled water helps relieve the condition. However, if the eye becomes red or inflamed, baby rubs the eye a lot, or if light seems to hurt the eye, contact your doctor immediately.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding the eye. In babies, this is usually due to a bacterial infection and is often seen in babies with blocked tear ducts. It can also be caused by a viral infection accompanying a cold. Rarely, conjunctivitis can also occur due to a chlamydia infection passed on from the mother.
Symptoms
- mucous in the corner of the eye
- yellow eye discharge
- eyelids stuck together
- red eyelid
Antibiotics may be required to treat this condition. However, at home, one must frequently clean the baby’s eye with boiled cooled water and wipe away the sticky discharge.
Blood Disorders
Neonatal Jaundice And Hyperbilirubinemia
About 50% of infants develop jaundice at birth. Excessive breakdown of red blood cells by the baby produces excess bilirubin. The liver is unable to process these large amounts of bilirubin produced in the body, thereby leading to a condition called hyperbilirubinemia. Since bilirubin is a yellow pigment, it gives a yellow tinge to the baby, and this condition is called jaundice.
The yellow colour first appears on the head and then passes down to the rest of the body. Also, if the baby has bruising during the birth process, it can cause even more breakdown of the red blood cells, thereby causing jaundice. Jaundice is also prevalent in premature babies, as their liver hasn’t developed enough. Infants of diabetic mothers and of mothers with rhesus incompatibility are more likely to develop hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice.
Symptoms
- yellow discolouration of the skin
- whites of the eyes turn yellow
- lethargy and poor feeding
- excessive weight loss
Most often, jaundice fades away in a few weeks time. But sometimes, medical intervention is required to treat this condition. Phototherapy may be needed in cases where the bilirubin levels are high. High levels of bilirubin cause brain seizures and damage.
Hypoglycaemia
This condition is characterised by low sugar levels in blood. Although a frequently seen condition in newborns, some babies either born to diabetic mothers or those who are too large or too small, are at a greater risk of having problems associated with hypoglycaemia.
Symptoms
- pale skin and sweating
- increased heart rate
- jerky movements
- rapid breathing
- poor feeding and lethargy
- low body temperature
Glucose is the main fuel for the brain and a lack of it will affect the ability of the brain to function. Severe or prolonged hypoglycaemia may result in seizures and serious brain injury.
Feeding your baby well might be all that is required to up the glucose levels. For more complex cases, a rapid acting source of glucose such as sugar water will help. Even severe cases might require an intravenous drip of glucose.
Do remember to keep checking for symptoms and seek medical advice if you feel things are not right.
References:
http://www.babiestoday.com/articles/immunizations-and-health/blocked-tear-ducts-and-babies-5012/
http://digestive-disorders.health-cares.net/newborn-jaundice-causes.php
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