Is it normal for infants to roll their eyes?
May 29, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
It is abnormal for an infant to roll their eyes upward. If the child does so while sleeping, it may be due to failure to achieve deep sleep. If the child frequently rolls their eyes upward while awake, several possibilities exist: one is tic disorder; another is cerebral hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply to the brain). Therefore, it is essential to take the child to a hospital for proper diagnosis to determine the appropriate course of action.
Infants and young children exhibit a wide variety of movements—some wave their tiny hands, while others roll their eyes upward (i.e., show the whites of their eyes). So, is it normal for babies to roll their eyes?
Is it normal for infants to roll their eyes?
Rolling the eyes is not normal in infants. If a child rolls their eyes during sleep, it may indicate failure to achieve deep sleep. However, if eye-rolling occurs frequently while the child is awake, several underlying conditions must be considered. One possibility is Tourette syndrome or another tic disorder; another is cerebral hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply to the brain). Therefore, it is essential to take the child to a hospital for proper evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment plan. Typically, children with tic disorders not only roll their eyes but also display other unusual movements such as excessive blinking, eyebrow raising, or shoulder shrugging. The presence of these associated behaviors strongly suggests a diagnosis of tic disorder.
If your baby rolls their eyes during sleep, consider the following management strategies: First, regulate the child’s spleen and stomach function. In some cases, eye-rolling during sleep may stem from spleen-stomach deficiency. Affected children are often underweight and appear pale-faced; supplementation with Shen Ling Bai Zhu Granules may help restore balance. Second, consider antiepileptic therapy.
Some children roll their eyes during sleep due to epileptic seizures. Parents should arrange for an electroencephalogram (EEG) for their child. Once epilepsy is confirmed, prompt initiation of antiepileptic medications—such as sodium valproate—is recommended. We hope this information proves helpful!
