Patient's question:
A 20-day-old baby gets easily startled when burping, kicking when tapped. During sleep, they get easily startled by loud noises. Sometimes they wake up, sometimes they don't, and sometimes they wake up for a while and then fall back asleep. They are very easy to wake up and also very easy to fall back asleep again. Is this a sign of calcium deficiency in the baby?Doctor's answer:
The child often experiences startle reflexes, which are relatively common during the newborn period. This is because the baby's nervous system has not yet fully developed, and their respiratory and cardiac inhibition functions are still immature, making them easily excitable when stimulated. Any loud noises, bright lights, vibrations, or changes in position can trigger these startles in children. This is a normal phenomenon, and it gradually improves as the child grows. If calcium supplementation is needed, it is best to first consult a healthcare professional before doing so, as it can be adequately supplemented through diet.