Is it normal for a newborn's white of the eye to have red blood vessels?
Sep 27, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Newborns may experience capillary dilation in the eyes due to pressure from the birth canal during delivery or persistent crying after birth, manifesting as red blood vessels in the white of the eye. A newborn's eyeball is relatively delicate; minor friction causing eye trauma or bacterial invasion can also lead to redness in the sclera.
Generally speaking, whether it is normal for a newborn to have red blood vessels in the white part of the eye depends on the underlying cause. If the redness results from birth canal compression or crying, it is usually considered normal. However, if the redness is due to eye trauma or infection, it may indicate an abnormal condition.
If a newborn experiences pressure from the birth canal during delivery or cries excessively after birth, it may lead to dilation of the small blood vessels in the eyes, appearing as red blood vessels in the whites of the eyes. In such cases, properly soothing the newborn can help alleviate this symptom.
A newborn's eyes are delicate; even minor friction causing eye injury or bacterial invasion can result in red blood vessels in the white part of the eye. In these situations, parents should provide appropriate care under the guidance of a physician to maintain the newborn’s eye health.
In daily care, it is important to keep the newborn’s eyes clean and avoid using irritating skincare products to support healthy eye development.
