What are the symptoms of infant lacrimal gland inflammation?

Infant dacryoadenitis, medically known as congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction or neonatal dacryocystitis, is a common eye condition in newborns. It refers to a disease caused by infection or blockage of the infant's tear ducts. Its symptoms mainly include the following aspects:

1. Epiphora (excessive tearing): The infant begins to shed tears without external stimulation shortly after birth; that is, the eyes secrete excessive tears even without external stimuli.

2. Increased eye discharge: Because tears cannot drain normally, they accumulate in the lacrimal sac, allowing bacterial growth and resulting in increased mucopurulent discharge, typically yellow or green in color, which is particularly noticeable upon waking in the morning.

3. Eyelid swelling: Inflammatory factors stimulate local tissues, increasing vascular permeability and fluid exudation, leading to eyelid edema. Swelling usually occurs at the edge of the eyelid and may be accompanied by tenderness.

4. Conjunctival congestion: Inflammatory stimuli cause dilation and increased permeability of small conjunctival blood vessels, resulting in conjunctival hyperemia. The congestion usually is limited to the white part of the eye and, in severe cases, may extend to the limbus of the cornea.

Infant dacryoadenitis is mostly caused by incomplete development of the tear ducts or failure of the membrane at the lower end of the nasolacrimal duct to fully regress at birth. In most cases, as the infant grows, the tear ducts gradually develop and mature, and symptoms may resolve spontaneously. However, if symptoms persist, timely medical attention is required.