Understanding a 6-Month-Old's Round Bump Behind the Ear: What Parents Should Know
A 6-month-old child has a round bump on the back of the head? Hello, doctor: Our child is already 6 months old, and there is a round protrusion about 0.5 to 1 cm in size near the back of the head close to the right ear. When I press on it, the child does not feel pain. What could...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and are a normal component of the human body. There are approximately 600 lymph nodes distributed throughout the body, with only a few located superficially and palpable, such as in the neck, armpits, and groin. When there is an infection...[Read More] Understanding a 6-Month-Old's Round Bump Behind the Ear: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Fever in Infants: Key Concerns Beyond Hearing Loss
Pediatric Fever Hello, doctor... My daughter is currently six months old. A few days ago, she had a fever that reached 40 degrees Celsius, which lasted for about 4-5 hours before subsiding. The next day, due to a sore throat, we took her to see a doctor. The doctor informed us th...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
Fever in children is a common concern among pediatric patients, often causing anxiety for parents and sleepless nights. In addressing this issue, it is crucial to investigate the underlying cause. Is it merely a case of viral nasopharyngitis, or could there be complications such ...[Read More] Understanding Fever in Infants: Key Concerns Beyond Hearing Loss
Understanding Speech Development in Children with Hearing Impairment
Do not ask questions proactively? Hello Dr. Chen, my little nephew just turned 3 years old (born on November 11, 2021). I wonder if it’s related to the fact that he has been primarily raised by me and my aunt (his great-grandmother, grandfather, and aunt are completely deaf, whil...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions concerns about a child's language development and potential future hearing issues. First, it is important to clarify the certainty of the diagnosis regarding hereditary hearing problems, especially since multiple family members have experienced hearing lo...[Read More] Understanding Speech Development in Children with Hearing Impairment
Is Your 7-Month-Old Getting Enough Nutrition? Tips for Parents
Is the baby's nutrition sufficient? 1. My baby is currently over 7 months old and refuses to eat solid foods. I’ve noticed that it’s not that my baby doesn’t want to eat, but rather that my baby is afraid to swallow. I’m considering waiting until 8 months to try introducing ...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
1. The letter mentions concerns about the baby's nutrition. When introducing solid foods, it is essential for the baby to first adapt to using a spoon. Additionally, initial chewing requires repeated practice. Most babies tend to refuse the spoon at first due to fear. For yo...[Read More] Is Your 7-Month-Old Getting Enough Nutrition? Tips for Parents
Understanding Leg Pain in Active Children: Causes and Remedies
Leg pain in children? Hello Doctor: My child is ten years old and is very active and energetic. Sometimes at night, he experiences soreness in both legs or just one leg, primarily in the thigh or calf muscles. When he has this soreness, I apply heat or use a cooling muscle ointme...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions joint pain and growing pains. According to statistics from a certain hospital, 90% of growing pains occur in the afternoon and evening, predominantly affecting the lower limbs bilaterally, particularly favoring the anterior thigh muscles, knees, and posterior ...[Read More] Understanding Leg Pain in Active Children: Causes and Remedies
Understanding Unexplained Bruises in Children: Causes and Concerns
Skin My niece has developed multiple bruises on her skin without any apparent injury, and they haven't faded after several days. What could be the cause?
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that the niece did not sustain any impact but has developed numerous bruises on her skin, which have not faded for several days. It is unclear whether the patient has other symptoms, such as fever, recent cold, common areas for bruising, abdominal pain, or hem...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Bruises in Children: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Speech Sound Disorders in Children: A Guide for Parents
Children have difficulty with pronunciation? Hello, my child will be starting first grade this September. Recently, during a phonetics class, the teacher mentioned that he has a speech sound disorder. Could you please advise which specialist doctor I should consult for treatment?...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that the child has language issues. Which specialist should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment? It is recommended to visit a large hospital (such as Taichung Veterans General Hospital or China Medical University Hospital) and initially consult with a phy...[Read More] Understanding Speech Sound Disorders in Children: A Guide for Parents
Understanding Joint Pain in Children: Is It Growing Pains or Something More?
Joint pain My daughter is 5 years old and often experiences soreness and weakness in her hand and foot joints, as well as her toes. There is no swelling or fever associated with this. A doctor previously mentioned it could be growing pains. I also experienced similar pain as a ch...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions joint pain and growing pains. According to statistics from a certain hospital, 90% of growing pains occur in the afternoon and evening, primarily affecting the lower limbs bilaterally, particularly favoring the anterior thigh muscles, knees, and posterior calf...[Read More] Understanding Joint Pain in Children: Is It Growing Pains or Something More?
Understanding White Hair in Toddlers: Causes and Concerns
Baby's white hair Hello Dr. Lin, Today, while I was fixing my 2.4-year-old daughter's hair, I noticed a short, thicker white hair, which is actually closer to a light golden color. Does this indicate any warning signs? My husband’s family tends to have white hair at a ...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that the 2-year-old daughter has a short and thick white hair. It is difficult to determine whether this is associated with other conditions or if it is simply an isolated occurrence based on such a minor sign. It is advisable to continue monitoring and to pay...[Read More] Understanding White Hair in Toddlers: Causes and Concerns
Should My Baby Undergo EEG After Meningitis Recovery?
Regarding the issue of EEG in children? My baby was recently hospitalized due to meningitis (currently ten months old). After discharge, the doctor requested a follow-up appointment for an EEG one week later. However, people around me say that an EEG is not good for children. I a...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a procedure that uses an electroencephalogram to record the electrical potential changes generated by neuronal activity in the brain. This is used to assess whether there are any issues with brain function and to detect abnormal discharges, serving...[Read More] Should My Baby Undergo EEG After Meningitis Recovery?
Understanding Language Development in Toddlers: When to Seek Help
Pediatric Language Development Hello! My child is currently 2 years and 5 months old, but he still does not speak. However, he can understand what adults ask him to do, so his hearing should not be an issue. Furthermore, he expresses his intentions through actions; for example, i...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
Hello: In your letter, you mentioned concerns about language development, stating that "the child is currently 2 years and 5 months old and still does not speak." Based on my clinical experience, there is a significant individual variation in language development among ...[Read More] Understanding Language Development in Toddlers: When to Seek Help
Understanding the Differences Between Malt Extract and Wheat Flour for Infants
What is the difference between malt extract and malt flour? I'm sorry to disturb you, doctor. May I ask if mixing wheat flour and milk for my baby is harmful? The pharmacy staff said that giving my baby malt extract is the best option. Is that true? What is the difference be...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions issues related to feeding complementary foods. Generally speaking, the preferred method is to feed complementary foods with a spoon. This approach not only allows infants to obtain the nutrients from solid foods but also helps train their ability to eat solids...[Read More] Understanding the Differences Between Malt Extract and Wheat Flour for Infants
Understanding Blood in Children's Stool: Common Causes and Concerns
Blood in a child's stool? Hello doctor, I have three children who usually have normal meals, mostly eating at home. Recently, all three of my children have shown signs of blood (bright red) on the toilet paper after wiping their stools. We live in the United States, and medi...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
There are many causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, including bacterial gastroenteritis, anal fissures, polyps, peptic ulcers, intussusception, milk protein allergy, and sepsis, among others. The incidence of these conditions varies with age. The inquiry mentions that after a chi...[Read More] Understanding Blood in Children's Stool: Common Causes and Concerns
Feeding Guidelines for Babies: Addressing Solid Food Concerns
Baby complementary food issues 2 Dr. Chen, regarding the question I asked you last time, I apologize for asking again. When feeding my baby vegetable puree, fruit puree, and rice porridge as complementary foods, should I only feed them in the amounts you mentioned? My baby is now...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions concerns regarding complementary foods. In terms of feeding quantity, if the child's height and weight are developing appropriately, and bowel movements are normal without any signs of digestive issues or gastrointestinal discomfort, there is no need to s...[Read More] Feeding Guidelines for Babies: Addressing Solid Food Concerns
Essential Guidelines for Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby
Baby complementary food issues? My baby is currently five months old. What foods should I avoid when introducing solid foods? Are there specific types of seafood, fruits, vegetables, or meats that should not be given to the baby? Is it okay to prepare porridge for the baby now? C...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that the baby is currently five months old. Are there any dietary restrictions? For infants with a family history of allergies, it is advisable to avoid introducing allergenic foods too early, such as peanuts, tree nuts, cow's milk, eggs, and shellfish li...[Read More] Essential Guidelines for Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby
Understanding Your Baby's Dark Tongue: Causes and Concerns
Baby tongue issues (urgent) My baby is almost five months old. This past week, I noticed that my baby's tongue coating is blackish-purple. I took him to the doctor, who said there is no major concern and insisted that my baby must have ingested something with pigments. Howev...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that over the past week, the baby has developed a blackish-purple coating on the tongue. From a medical perspective, there is a condition known as black hairy tongue. This condition is clinically characterized by a deep discoloration on the dorsal surface of t...[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Dark Tongue: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Why Your Baby Cries in Unfamiliar Environments
Crying and fussing in unfamiliar environments? My child is currently eight months old and has been cared for by relatives in the southern part of Taiwan since birth. As parents, we visit every two weeks from Taipei to see our child, and we have noticed that he is not shy around p...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that the child is currently eight months old and has primarily been cared for by relatives from the southern region since birth. For an eight-month-old infant, this is the stage where they begin to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar people. The livi...[Read More] Understanding Why Your Baby Cries in Unfamiliar Environments
Managing Your Baby's Severe Cough and Vomiting After Chlamydia Infection
After a child has a Campylobacter infection and is experiencing persistent vomiting, what should be done? Hello Dr. Chen: My baby (4 months old) started experiencing severe coughing, occasional vomiting, and a runny nose a few days ago. After a doctor's diagnosis, it was det...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
Pneumonia caused by Chlamydia in newborns typically occurs within the first one to three months after birth. Clinically, it is often characterized by persistent coughing and shortness of breath, but fever is rare. Physical examination may reveal notable lung crackles. In cases of...[Read More] Managing Your Baby's Severe Cough and Vomiting After Chlamydia Infection
Does Hitting the Fontanelle Affect My Baby's Cognitive Development?
Fontanelle issues Hello Dr. Chen: My child is currently 7 months old and is in a very active phase. He often bumps his head during rolling over. Will this affect his cognitive development? Thank you for taking the time to respond!
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The anterior fontanelle is a diamond-shaped space located between the two parietal bones and the frontal bone, containing important components of the central nervous system. It generally begins to close gradually between 12 to 18 months of age in infants. Prior to this closure, i...[Read More] Does Hitting the Fontanelle Affect My Baby's Cognitive Development?
Understanding Tricuspid Regurgitation in Infants: Key Considerations
Tricuspid regurgitation Hello Dr. Chen: My son is currently two months old and has a heart murmur graded 1-2, mild tricuspid regurgitation, and an unclosed defect (I forgot the exact location). He also experiences frequent sweating. What should we pay attention to? Does he need t...
Dr. Chen Rongtai reply Pediatrics
The letter mentions that your baby currently has mild tricuspid regurgitation, which you need not worry too much about. It also mentions an unclosed defect (is it a ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, or patent foramen ovale?). If it is a larger ventricular septal de...[Read More] Understanding Tricuspid Regurgitation in Infants: Key Considerations