Question
A seven-month-old baby, born with oxygen deficiency due to a narrow birth canal, was hospitalized for 12 days and confirmed to be normal after a CT scan. However, at seven months old, the baby was found to exhibit symptoms of rapid head shaking before bedtime, with intervals between shakes varying each time, lasting about three minutes before falling asleep. What could this symptom indicate?
Answer
The two inner ear canals of the baby may be developing unequally, causing them to feel as if there is a foreign object in their ears, which then triggers behaviors such as ear scratching, head shaking, and kicking legs. It is advised for parents to be patient and, if necessary, to provide ear massage for the child. Additionally, the baby may sweat more due to calcium deficiency, leading to discomfort and resulting in rubbing on the pillow. Parents should check for any thinning in the baby’s hair and consider supplementing with calcium.