Question
A newborn baby over 10 days old is blinking rapidly while sleeping, about 56 times per second. Is this symptom normal?
Answer
There are many reasons why a child might blink frequently. First, observe if the baby’s eyes are uncomfortable. Additionally, is the blinking continuous or intermittent? How does the baby respond to the outside world when blinking? Are there any other symptoms present? In fact, besides inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva, another possible cause for a child to blink frequently could be inverted eyelashes. Apart from possibly being due to eye fatigue, normally, blinking 15-20 times per minute is considered normal. Blinking helps to properly position the tear film over the surface of the eye, protecting the cornea and preventing the surface of the eye from drying out and protecting against dust damage. However, frequent blinking is a pathological phenomenon. Common causes of frequent blinking in children include inflammatory effects, congenital eyelid inversion and inverted eyelashes, childhood hyperactivity disorder, eyestrain-induced blinking, neurological blinking, and habitual blinking. In summary, there are many reasons for a child to blink frequently, and the treatment methods vary; experienced doctors should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment. If parents notice their child frequently blinking, they should seek medical attention early to avoid worsening of the condition. With timely detection and treatment, the general treatment effect is good. The above suggestions are for the question of ‘a newborn baby over 10 days old blinking while sleeping’, hoping it will be helpful to you, and wishing you health!