Question
The baby has been crying with eye discharge since birth, what is this symptom?
Answer
Newborn dacryocystitis may be the cause of the baby’s continuous eye discharge and mucus since birth. This is usually due to the obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct by residual tissue or epithelial cells during fetal development, leading to the accumulation of tears and bacteria in the lacrimal sac, thereby causing an infection. It is recommended that parents take their child to the ophthalmology department of the hospital for examination. If the symptoms have not improved after birth, and there are hard lumps in the lacrimal sac area, consider a diagnosis of newborn dacryocystitis. Antibiotic eye drops can be used locally for treatment initially; if there is no improvement after one week, further medical intervention is needed.