Why Do Newborns Roll Their Eyes While Sleeping?
Dec 02, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
Why Do Newborns Roll Their Eyes While Sleeping:
If a newborn occasionally opens their eyes and rolls their eyes upward during sleep, with no other abnormal facial features present—and after ruling out other underlying medical conditions—this is generally considered normal. It results from the infant’s immature nervous system. However, certain medical conditions can also cause eye-opening and upward eye-rolling during sleep.
After a baby is born, their sleeping time often becomes the happiest moment for parents. During this period, the newborn remains quiet and still, appearing especially adorable. I believe many mothers have the habit of gazing absentmindedly at their peacefully sleeping babies. So why do newborns roll their eyes upward while sleeping? Below is an explanation.
Why Do Newborns Roll Their Eyes Upward While Sleeping?
In most cases, newborns rolling their eyes upward while sleeping—with eyes partially open—is due to incomplete development of the nervous system, resulting in unconscious minor movements; this is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. However, certain pathological conditions—such as neonatal seizures, hypocalcemia, or epilepsy—can also cause upward eye-rolling with eyes open during sleep and must therefore be carefully differentiated.
If a newborn only occasionally exhibits upward eye-rolling with eyes open during sleep—and shows no other facial abnormalities—this is generally considered normal after excluding underlying diseases, attributable to immature neurological development. Nevertheless, certain medical conditions may also lead to this phenomenon.
(1) Hypocalcemia in newborns can cause neurological dysfunction and heightened neuromuscular excitability, leading to irritability and upward eye-rolling.
(2) Upward eye-rolling with eyes open during sleep is also a classic symptom of neonatal epilepsy. In such cases, infants typically display additional abnormal movements—such as swimming-like or bicycling-like motions of the arms and legs. When these signs occur, epilepsy should be suspected, and prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential.
(3) Neonatal seizures may also present with upward eye-rolling and eyes open. These seizures can result from various causes—including infection, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, or vitamin B6 deficiency—and may be accompanied by facial or limb twitching or convulsions.
The above provides an overview of why newborns may roll their eyes upward while sleeping. We hope today’s information proves helpful. Wishing you a joyful life and good health!
