Urgent Pediatric Concerns: Addressing Baby's Development and Health Issues

Q: Urgent Pediatric Concerns: Addressing Baby's Development and Health Issues

An anxious mother： Sorry for the late reply due to medical obligations! <br>1. <br>A full-term baby weighing 2200g is considered underweight. <br>This is generally classified as symmetric underweight (where head circumference and length are also smaller) or asymmetric underweight

Urgent matter: Baby's issue?

Dr.
Tsai: Hello, I have many questions regarding my baby sister.

1.
My baby was born full-term but weighed only 2200 grams, and it was found that she has an atrial septal defect.
Does this mean she will definitely develop more slowly than a normal baby?
2.
My baby is almost 7 months old, but her weight has remained at 5400 grams without any increase.
She still cannot roll over, sit up, or stand, and her neck muscles seem quite weak.
What should I do?
3.
I have noticed that my baby frequently has a fever, with ear temperatures sometimes reaching 38.5 degrees Celsius.
Is this considered a fever? What could be causing this?
4.
Recently, my baby has started to have fevers that come and go.
I have heard that teething can also cause fever and diarrhea.
Could this be the reason for my sister's fever? How can I determine what kind of tests should be done?
Thank you, Dr.
Tsai, for your guidance and answers.
The situation is urgent, and I hope you can reply to me as soon as possible.
A worried mother.
May 23, 2005.

Xiao Zi, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2005/05/23

Dr. Cai Zhengxian reply Pediatrics

An anxious mother: Sorry for the late reply due to medical obligations!
1.
A full-term baby weighing 2200g is considered underweight.
This is generally classified as symmetric underweight (where head circumference and length are also smaller) or asymmetric underweight (where head circumference and length are normal).
Your baby, at seven months, weighs only 5.4kg (well below the third percentile weight of 6.5kg).
If her height and head circumference are also small, it would suggest that she is symmetric underweight.
Common causes include congenital viral infections in utero, maternal chronic hypertension, or chronic placental insufficiency.
You may want to consult your obstetrician.
2.
A seven-month-old baby who cannot roll over or sit up, and shows decreased neck tone when held upright, raises concerns that your baby may not have reached the normal neurological development expected at six months.
If your baby is indeed symmetric underweight and has delayed neurological development, please take her to a pediatric neurologist for a neurological examination and brain imaging (such as a cranial ultrasound).
It is best to go to a pediatric developmental assessment center (such as National Cheng Kung University Hospital or Chi Mei Medical Center in Tainan) for a comprehensive evaluation and early intervention.
3.
There are many causes of fever; please have a pediatrician conduct a complete evaluation.
4.
An atrial septal defect generally does not present with obvious symptoms during infancy, so regular follow-up is recommended.
Thank you for your questions!

Reply Date: 2005/05/23

More Info

When addressing urgent pediatric concerns, especially regarding a baby's development and health issues, it is crucial to consider various aspects of the child's growth, underlying medical conditions, and the appropriate steps for assessment and intervention.
1. Developmental Delays and Congenital Heart Defects: Your concern about your baby being born at a low birth weight (2200 grams) and having a congenital heart defect, specifically an atrial septal defect (ASD), is valid. While not all children with congenital heart defects experience developmental delays, studies have shown that they may be at a higher risk for such delays, particularly if the defect affects the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. This can lead to reduced oxygenation and nutrient delivery to the brain and other organs, potentially impacting growth and development. Regular follow-ups with a pediatric cardiologist are essential to monitor the heart condition and its effects on overall health and development.

2. Weight Gain and Motor Skills: At nearly 7 months, your baby’s weight of 5.4 kg (approximately 11.9 lbs) is concerning, especially if there has been no increase. The average weight for a 7-month-old typically ranges from 7 to 9 kg (15.4 to 19.8 lbs). Lack of weight gain, combined with the inability to perform age-appropriate motor skills such as rolling over, sitting, or standing, warrants a thorough evaluation. This could involve assessments for potential underlying conditions, including metabolic disorders, neurological issues, or other developmental disorders. Engaging a pediatrician for a comprehensive evaluation, including possible referrals to a pediatric neurologist or developmental specialist, is advisable.

3. Fever in Infants: Regarding your baby’s frequent fevers, a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) is indeed considered a fever in infants. Fevers can be caused by various factors, including infections, teething, or even reactions to vaccinations. Given the recurrent nature of the fever, it is essential to monitor other symptoms, such as irritability, feeding patterns, or any signs of respiratory distress. If the fever persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, a visit to the pediatrician is warranted for further evaluation and possibly laboratory tests to rule out infections or other underlying conditions.

4. Teething and Associated Symptoms: It is common for infants to experience mild fever and irritability during teething. However, significant fever (over 38.5°C) or prolonged fever should not be attributed solely to teething without further investigation. If you suspect that teething is causing discomfort, you can provide comfort measures, such as teething rings or cold compresses. However, if the fever continues or is accompanied by diarrhea or other symptoms, it is crucial to consult with your pediatrician to determine the appropriate course of action and any necessary tests.

In summary, your concerns about your baby's development and health are important and should be addressed promptly. Regular pediatric check-ups, monitoring of developmental milestones, and open communication with healthcare providers will help ensure that your baby receives the necessary support and interventions. Early identification and management of any potential issues are key to promoting healthy growth and development.

Similar Q&A

Concerns About My 1-Year-Old's Development and Health Issues

Hello doctor, my baby is currently one year and seven months old. He has a depression in his fontanelle that is about 10 centimeters long and one and a half fingers wide. He often has diarrhea and has not consumed more than 150 ml of milk since birth. Additionally, he has only ei...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
Infants with abnormal head shapes and developmental delays, characterized by wide cranial sutures and a prominent forehead, may require an evaluation for potential brain abnormalities. It is recommended to consult a pediatric neurologist at a major hospital for further assessment...

Understanding Infant Development: When to Seek Pediatric Evaluation

Hello Dr. Lin: I am a mother of twins. My fraternal twins are currently 11 months old (born at 36 weeks + 5 days). I am taking care of my son, who can only lie on his stomach, roll over, and kick his legs. He is not stable when sitting and makes sounds like "A," "a...

Dr. Lin Yishou reply Pediatrics
Hello parents, the symptoms are mild, so you can take the opportunity to have the doctor evaluate them during the vaccination.

Concerns About Developmental Delays in Infants: What Parents Should Know

Hello Doctor: My baby was born on December 12, 1996, and is now 10 months old. I am a bit concerned that she may be experiencing developmental delays. At 7 months, she started teething (which gave me some relief). At 8 months, she learned to roll over, and by 9 months, she could ...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
The development of gross motor skills typically includes rolling over at 6 months, bringing objects to the mouth, sitting steadily by 7 to 8 months, and crawling by 8 to 9 months (some may skip crawling and go directly to standing). Your child seems to be slightly delayed (but no...

Addressing Emotional Challenges in Young Children: A Parent's Guide

I have a pair of children, a 7-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter. However, my son's language expression skills seem to be insufficient; sometimes I have to guess what he wants to say. Recently, I discovered that he has emotional difficulties and occasionally hurts himse...

Dr. Chen Xianchang reply Rehabilitation
Hello, Miss: Thank you for your inquiry. I would like to address your questions and provide the following suggestions: 1. Generally speaking, I recommend that you first communicate with the teacher to see if there are any pressures related to social interactions with classmates o...