Swollen eye newborn babies
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in Newborns
Newborns with symptoms of conjunctivitis (pink eye) should see a doctor right away.
Neonatal conjunctivitis is a red eye in a newborn caused by infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct. When caused by an infection, neonatal conjunctivitis can be very serious.
Symptoms and Causes of Conjunctivitis in Newborns
Newborns with conjunctivitis develop drainage from the eyes within a few days to several weeks after birth. Their eyelids become puffy, red, and tender. The cause of neonatal conjunctivitis is often difficult to determine because, in many instances, the symptoms don’t vary by cause.
Conjunctivitis in a newborn may be caused by a blocked tear duct, irritation produced by the topical antimicrobials given at birth, or infection with a virus or bacterium passed from the mother to her baby during childbirth. Even mothers without symptoms (asymptomatic) at the time of delivery can carry and pass bacteria or viruses to babies during birth.
The most common types of neonatal conjunctivitis include the following:
- Inclusion (chlamydial) conjunctivitis
Chlamydia trachomatis can cause inclusion conjunctivitis and genital infections (chlamydia). A woman with untreated chlamydia can pass the bacteria to her baby during childbirth. Symptoms of inclusion conjunctivitis include redness of the eye(s), swelling of the eyelids, and discharge of pus. Symptoms are likely to appear 5 to 12 days after birth. Symptoms can develop earlier if the amniotic sac is ruptured during delivery. Some newborns with chlamydial conjunctivitis can have the infection in other parts of their bodies. The bacteria can infect the lungs and nasopharynx (where the back of the nose connects to the mouth). - Gonococcal conjunctivitis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause gonococcal conjunctivitis, as well as the sexually transmitted infection called gonorrhea. A woman with untreated gonorrhea can pass the bacteria to her baby during childbirth.
Symptoms usually include red eyes, thick pus in the eyes, and swelling of the eyelids. This type of conjunctivitis usually begins in the first 2-5 days of life. It can also progress to serious infections of the bloodstream (bacteremia) and lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) in newborns. - Chemical conjunctivitis
When eye drops are given to newborns to help prevent a bacterial infection, the newborn’s eye(s) may become irritated. This may be diagnosed as chemical conjunctivitis. Symptoms of chemical conjunctivitis usually include mildly red eye(s) and some swelling of the eyelids. Symptoms are likely to last for only 24 to 36 hours. - Other neonatal conjunctivitis
Viruses and bacteria other than Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause conjunctivitis. For example, bacteria that normally live in a woman’s vagina and are not sexually transmitted can cause conjunctivitis. Additionally, the viruses that cause genital and oral herpes can cause neonatal conjunctivitis and severe eye damage.
The mother may pass such viruses to her baby during childbirth. However, herpes conjunctivitis is less common than conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia. Symptoms usually include red eye(s) and swollen eyelids with some pus.
Prevention and Treatment of Conjunctivitis in Newborns
To prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, most states have laws requiring providers to put drops or ointment in a newborn’s eyes, typically within 2-3 hours of birth. In the past, hospitals used silver nitrate; now hospitals mostly use antibiotic eye drops, typically erythromycin. During pregnancy and prior to giving birth, women with genital herpes should consult with their physician about ways to minimize the chances of spread to their newborn baby.
Doctors may treat neonatal conjunctivitis caused by a bacterial infection with antibiotics. It will depend on the severity of the infection and the bacteria that caused it. Some antibiotics are applied as an eye drop or ointment in the eye (topical).
Other antibiotics are given by mouth (orally), through a vein (intravenous), or as a shot (intramuscular). Doctors may treat a newborn’s conjunctivitis with a combination of topical, and either oral, intravenous, or intramuscular antibiotics. Rinsing the newborn’s infected eye with a saline solution will remove any debris that may develop in response to the infection.
If a blocked tear duct causes conjunctivitis, a gentle, warm massage between the eye and nasal area may help. If the blocked tear duct does not clear by 1 year of age, the newborn may require surgery.
Treatments for the common causes of neonatal conjunctivitis are as follows:
- Inclusion (chlamydial) conjunctivitis
Doctors usually use oral antibiotics to treat inclusion conjunctivitis. - Gonococcal conjunctivitis
Doctors give intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) antibiotics to treat gonococcal conjunctivitis. If untreated, the newborn could develop corneal ulcerations (open sores in the cornea) and blindness.
- Chemical conjunctivitis
Since this type of conjunctivitis is caused by chemical irritation, treatment is usually not required. The newborn will usually get better in 24 to 36 hours. - Other bacterial and viral conjunctivitis
Doctors usually give antibiotic drops or ointments to treat conjunctivitis caused by other bacteria For both bacterial and viral conjunctivitis, a warm compress to the eye may relieve swelling and irritation. Be sure to wash hands before and after touching the infected eyes.
Eyes | Newborn Nursery | Stanford Medicine
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Eyelid Edema
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Dysconjugate Eye Movements
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Dacrocystoceles
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Dacrocystocele
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Dacrostenosis
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Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
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Iris Cyst
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Normal Eye
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Injected Eye
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Peripupillary Vascularity
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Gonococcal Conjunctivitis
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Congenital Glaucoma
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Peter's Anomaly
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Congenital Cataract
Eyelid Edema
Most infants exhibit some degree of eyelid edema after birth.
The puffiness may make it seem that the infant has difficulty opening one or both eyes, but with a gentle examination, the eye can be easily evaluated. Edema resolves over the first few days of life.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Dysconjugate Eye Movements
During the first few months of life, newborns will frequently have dysconjugate eye movements, where the eyes appear to move independently. Eyes may transiently appear crossed or divergent. This phenomena is particularly noticeable when the infant is falling asleep or being woken from sleep. If the dysconjugate movement is fixed (one eye is always out, or always in, relative to the other), a pediatric ophthalmologist should be consulted. But if the movements are transient, it is a normal finding and will spontaneously resolve.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Dysconjugate Eye Movements
Here is another example of dysconjugate eye movements. This infant was sound asleep when the lids were gently opened for the photo.
When awake, the infant could easily fix and focus on the mother's face.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Dacrocystoceles
This infant was noted at birth to have some bluish nodules inferior to the medial canthi of both eyes, widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism), and a flat nasal bridge. The nodules are dacrocystoceles. They are caused by obstructions at both superior and inferior ends of the nasolacrimal duct. Though relatively small externally, these lesions almost completely obstructed the nasal passages. For this reason, internal nasal evaluation is recommended when the dacrocystoceles are bilateral, even when the patient is otherwise asymptomatic (as this child was).
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Dacrocystocele
An intra-operative photo shows the degree of obstruction of the nasal passage on the right side. The pink structure on the upper left is the turbinate, and the bluish mass at the bottom of the photo is the dacrocystocele. The small dark spot in the center was the area available for breathing.
photo by Anna Messner, MD
Dacrostenosis
Here is an example of dacrostenosis. In this case, both eyes are affected, although there is slightly more discharge around the left eye than the right. The sclera of both eyes are clear, and there are no other signs of infection. For about half of affected patients, this will resolve within the first week of life. For the other half, spontaneous resolution is expected in several weeks to a few months.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a frequent finding in normal newborns. It results from the breakage of small vessels during the pressure of delivery. The red area may be large or small but is always confined to the limits of the sclera. It is asymptomatic, does not affect vision, and spontaneously resolves in several days. Note also the numerous petechiae on the forehead. This infant had significant facial bruising as well as the eye finding.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Iris Cyst
This infant had a normal physical exam at birth. By about 20 hours of life, there was a reddish/blue discoloration of the eyelid and redness in the left eye, the sclera was markedly injected, there was a small amount of discharge in the upper lashes, and the retinal light reflex was not visible. With careful inspection, a reddish discoloration over the iris (which gives the normally bluish iris a brown tint), and an opacity within the pupil can be seen. These findings were believed to be due to an iris cyst, an extremely rare finding. Interestingly, the cyst spontaneously resoved over a few months.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Normal Eye
For comparison, this is the completely normal right eye of the same infant. Note the lack of injection in the sclera, the normal greyish blue iris and the clear pupil. A retinal reflex was easily obtained in this eye.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Injected Eye
This is another newborn with unilateral conjunctival injection.
On initial examination, the right pupil was about 2mm in diameter and the normal left pupil was 5-6mm. A retinal reflex was not present on the right side. This photo was taken after dilating drops were placed. Some dilation of the right pupil is noted, but it was not equal with the left, and still the retina could not be well seen. The differential diagnosis includes tumor and vascular abnormalities. An ultrasound of the eye was done to evaluate this finding further.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Peripupillary Vascularity
This is the same infant shown in the previous photo. Here the light from the ophthalmoscope is shining obliquely across the front of the eye. Without any special equipment, a red tinge (described by the ophthalmologist as a lacy network of peripupillary vessels) can be appreciated at the rim of the pupil. When the other eye was evaluated in this way, no red color was seen.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Gonococcal Conjunctivitis
When gonococcal conjunctivitis occurs, it typically presents in the first few days of life with copius, purulent discharge in the eyes.
In this infant, the marked edema of the eyelids was the first symptom noted, but with just slight pressure on the lids, purulent material oozed out (seen here). Unlike the typical "pink eye" conjuncitivitis that occurs in older children, gonococcal conjunctivitis is an ophthalmologic emergency. Because the bacteria can erode through an intact cornea, treatment is very aggressive and includes systemic intravenous antibiotics, frequent eye washes, and monitoring in a neonatal intensive care unit. Fortunately, this diagnosis is very uncommon in places where prophylactic antibiotic eye ointment is used at birth.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Congenital Glaucoma
This infant presented with hazy bilateral corneal opacities on the initial newborn exam. Congenital glaucoma was the underlying cause.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Peter's Anomaly
This infant has haziness of the central cornea visible without special equipment. On evaluation with an ophthalmoscope, retinal reflexes could not be seen due to this opacity.
Although the opacity is central and could be mistaken for opacity of the lens, a view from a more oblique angle showed that the cloudiness extended over parts of the iris as well.
photo by Randall Young, MD
Congenital Cataract
In contrast to the previous photo, the opacities here occur behind the pupil, as the pupil is easily and clearly seen along its entire circumference. Again, the opacity can be appreciated without any special equipment (a good reminder to assess the eyes visually even if an ophthalmoscope is not readily available). A retinal light reflex could not be obtained. Congenital cataracts require early intervention to preserve sight, so immediate referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist is indicated. It is important to remember that cataracts that are less dense may not be visibly cloudy, so any time retinal reflexes cannot be obtained on exam, even if the eye appears grossly normal, referral is required.
photo by Janelle Aby, MD
Neonatal Physical Findings Atlas
Puffiness | Nestlé Health Science
- Nestlé Health Science
- health care
- Edema
Edema occurs in the deep layers of the skin, often around the eyes and lips of the child.
The swelling does not itch, but may be painful and irritable.
Why does my child have puffiness in the lips and eyes?
The most common causes of edema include food allergens such as Cow's Milk Protein Allergy (CMP) . The child may also have puffy eyes or lips from other allergies, such as insect bites, drugs, or latex.
Symptom analysis
Can swelling be a manifestation of CMPA?
Edema is a typical symptom in infants with CMPA.
Children with CMPA usually have more than one symptom, and these symptoms can be very different from each other.
If you think your child has edema, it could be CMPA.
You may notice other symptoms (other than hives or swelling) that may affect other parts of your child's body.
As a simple and easy way to check for typical symptoms associated with CMPA, you can use our Symptom Checker.
In any case, if you have any doubts or concerns about your child's health, you should consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Other symptoms of cow's milk protein allergy
ANAPHILACTIC SHOCK
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CRYING AND COLIC
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CONSTIPATION
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COUGH
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DIARRHEA
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ECZEMA
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GROWTH DISTURBANCE
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urticaria
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REFUSAL TO FOOD
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RASH
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REFLUX AND BUCK
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Runny nose and sneezing
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VOMITING
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HRIP
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IMPORTANT NOTE: : It is possible to continue breastfeeding if the infant is allergic to cow's milk protein.
To do this, the mother needs a special diet with the exclusion of all sources of cow's milk protein. Only if these measures do not bring the desired effect, the doctor recommends the use of a special therapeutic mixture intended for children from 0 to 1 year old. It is important to follow the correct methods of preparing the mixture: using boiled water, sterilized bottles and following the rules for diluting the mixture. Medicinal mixtures intended for diet therapy of CMPA should be used under the supervision of a physician.
Swollen eyes in a child - causes and treatment
It may be difficult for your child to explain any form of الألم and discomfort in the eyes or swelling that makes you worried. Thus, it is important to watch closely for signs that cause swollen eyelids, redness, discharge, or watery eyes. Seeing your child's pediatrician as soon as possible will help your child relieve any discomfort or any hidden complications.
In this article
What causes eye swelling in a child?
It can be difficult to tell if your child has puffy eyes or not because they usually go away naturally.
However, in some cases, the problem may worsen if no action is taken. We have compiled a list of factors that cause swelling of the eyes.
1. Allergy.
If your child is exposed to irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollen, pet dander, or dust mites, they are more likely to develop allergies. This usually causes typical symptoms such as swelling and redness of the eyelid. Sometimes a child may develop a reaction right away. Thus, it is important to know what they have been exposed to lately.
2. Teething
Since the nerves of the eyes and teeth are connected, this can cause Teething swollen eyes Be sure to look for swelling under the eyes after teething.
3. Mosquito bites
mosquito bites This may make the eyes swollen. This type of swelling does not cause pain but only itches and can persist in infants for up to 10 days. The swelling usually looks pink or red.
4. Injuries
Any physical injury to the head near the eyes can lead to eye swelling, inflammation, redness, etc.
Young children are prone to injury because they are constantly on the move. Sometimes they may not feel pain despite their bulging eyes.
5. Shawl and burda
A chalazion is a tender red swelling that can occur near or under the rim of the eyelid, causing swelling. According to research, conjunctivitis occurs when the eyelash follicle becomes inflamed. Most eggs are painful, but they go away on their own within a few days. On the other hand, a chalazion occurs near the eyelid if the sebaceous gland swells and blocks the openings. The swelling of the chalazion is usually larger than the swelling.
6. Blepharitis.
Our eyelids are made up of sebaceous glands, which can sometimes become blocked or inflamed. This can cause blepharitis, which may be most noticeable in the morning (after a night's sleep). Symptoms include flaky eyelashes, swollen eyelids, eyelid soreness, and itching.
7. Neonatal conjunctivitis
Sometimes the baby is predisposed to infection at birth, which can cause neonatal conjunctivitis; The most common causes of this condition are gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes.
The symptoms of this problem are red swollen eyes and copious discharge.
Simple remedies for swollen eyes in children
There are many factors that can lead to swelling of the eye, like moth pollen dust and milk. Here are a few remedies to help you get rid of puffy eyes.
1. Cold pressing.
Simple eye treatment Combing is the application of a cold compress. Apply this to your child's eyes for a few minutes to reduce redness and swelling.
2. Drop of breast milk
Puffiness under the eyes can be relieved with breast milk, as it has antibacterial properties. You can put a few drops on your child's eyes to relieve irritation, swelling, or itching.
3. Keep the eyes clean
Keep the area around the eyes clean with a clean, damp cloth and warm water to prevent eye swelling. If your child's eyes are infected, wiping them with a clean, cool cloth will help. Make it a habit to wash your child's hair frequently, as pollen or pet dander can accumulate on it, which can irritate the eyes.
4. Wash bed sheets weekly.
Wash your child's bed weekly with hot water to prevent puffy eyes caused by allergens. Hypoallergenic and mild detergents should be used. Always replace the carpet in your child's room.
When will you call your doctor?
Slight swelling due to a known cause is not serious and can be treated at home. However, in many cases, your child may need medical attention from a doctor to properly treat the problem. Call the doctor right away if:
1. Severe swelling
If your child has severe swelling in one or both eyes that doesn't go away, call the doctor, especially if the affected eye is completely or almost closed.
2. Fever
Indicates swelling of the eyes accompanied by fever If infection occurs, it must be treated immediately.
3. Unknown cause
If your child has chronic eye swelling with no apparent cause, it is best to see a doctor who can determine the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.
