Managing Persistent Cough in Children: When to Seek Help and Natural Remedies
Coughing Hello, Dr. Pei: I have two questions to ask you... (1) My two children (the eldest is over four years old and the youngest is over one year old) have been coughing for more than three weeks. They cough a few times each day; although it's not very frequent, each time...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, 1. Your child has been coughing for over three weeks, so it is advisable to consult a pediatrician for an examination. Post-infectious cough is still the most likely cause. 2. If the examination reveals no specific issues and the symptoms have improved, there may b...[Read More] Managing Persistent Cough in Children: When to Seek Help and Natural Remedies
Understanding Intermittent Fever in Children: Causes and Concerns
Intermittent fever Hello Doctor: My child is in the second grade. Earlier this year, after recovering from a cold and fever, he has been experiencing fever every 3 to 4 days since then, mostly occurring in the afternoon. He also feels weak and has body aches, with pain on both si...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Mom Lu, Hello, your son experiences fever every 3 to 4 days, and the possible reasons are as follows: 1. During the Lunar New Year period, there is frequent viral transmission, making it easy to contract various viruses. 2. Urinary tract infection (is there pain in the g...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Fever in Children: Causes and Concerns
Is It Safe for Infants to Travel to High Altitudes?
Infant altitude adaptation issues? Is it safe to take a 9-month-old baby to Qingjing for a trip?
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Ah-Chih, Hello! The speed of ascent, the altitude reached, the individual's level of physical training, and each person's unique physiological characteristics are the four main factors determining the occurrence and severity of altitude sickness (also known as acu...[Read More] Is It Safe for Infants to Travel to High Altitudes?
Managing Milk Intake and Solid Foods for Your Baby's Nutrition
Milk supply and complementary foods? Dear Dr. Pei, My baby girl was born on August 28, 1997, and she is currently about 4 and a half months old. Her weight is approximately 7.6 kg, and her height is about 65 cm. She has been refusing milk for over a month now and rejects all mi...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: A normal baby weighs about three kilograms at birth, and by the fourth or fifth month, their weight will double to approximately six kilograms. By the age of one, they should weigh about three times their birth weight, which is around ten kilograms. After that, they typica...[Read More] Managing Milk Intake and Solid Foods for Your Baby's Nutrition
Understanding Newborn Hiccups: Causes and Concerns for Parents
The reason why a newborn's body may twitch while burping is often due to the immature nervous system and muscle control. During the burping process, the baby may experience a reflex response as air is expelled from the stomach, which can lead to involuntary muscle contractio...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: (1) The bilirubin levels will steadily decrease over time. If there are no conditions such as dehydration or hemolysis, the bilirubin levels will not reverse and rise again. (2) After a baby finishes feeding, gently patting their back to help them burp (the patting should ...[Read More] Understanding Newborn Hiccups: Causes and Concerns for Parents
Impact of Phototherapy on Newborns' Eyesight: What Parents Should Know
Neonate Dear Doctor, a 3-day-old newborn is placed in a phototherapy incubator due to high bilirubin levels. Although the eyes are covered, will this have any impact on the child's eyes or vision?
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: (1) The history of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice has been 30 years, and to date, there have been no reports of visual impairment under the protection of eye coverings. (2) However, care must be taken to ensure that the eye coverings do not become loose or obstruct bre...[Read More] Impact of Phototherapy on Newborns' Eyesight: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Hypercalciuria in Children: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Hypercalciuria Hello Dr. Pei: I have two questions to ask you... (1) My eldest child is currently over four years old, and my second child is over one year old. I previously asked you about whether these two children have been tested for kidney stones (caused by melamine). When t...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, (1) The diagnostic criteria for hypercalciuria are a 24-hour urinary calcium excretion exceeding 4 mg/kg/day. However, collecting 24-hour urine can be challenging, so most physicians use a spot urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio (Ca/Cre) as a substitute. If the rati...[Read More] Understanding Hypercalciuria in Children: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Understanding Pediatric Ear Lumps: What Parents Should Know
Adenoma Hello Dr. Pei, I apologize for asking you another question. Today, I noticed a small bump about the size of a pearl located on the skull behind my one-year-old child's right ear, rather than on the ear itself. Initially, I thought it was a bone structure, but when I...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, Hello! In normal infants, lymph nodes are not easily palpable. However, it is acceptable to feel lymph nodes in certain areas of the body with exposure to antigens. These areas include the neck, armpits, groin, and the area behind the ears. If the lymph nodes are l...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Ear Lumps: What Parents Should Know
Can Kids Safely Take Lutein Supplements and Cough Syrup?
Supplements Hello Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you two questions. (1) Recently, adults in my household have been taking lutein supplements (capsules, one per day) for eye health. I would like to know if a four-year-old child can also take lutein supplements for regular eye car...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, Hello! 1. Lutein is a natural carotenoid found in various fruits and vegetables. Since the human body cannot synthesize it on its own, it must be obtained from dietary sources. Lutein is primarily found in dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, mustar...[Read More] Can Kids Safely Take Lutein Supplements and Cough Syrup?
Understanding Skin Color Changes in Children and Vaccine Guidelines
Skin Hello Dr. Pei: I have two questions to ask you... (1) My eldest daughter is currently four years old, and I recently noticed that the color of the skin on the soles of her feet and palms of her hands has a slight yellow tint. What does this indicate about her health? (2) Can...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, Hello, 1. The slight yellowish tint of the skin on the soles of the feet and palms is mostly caused by dietary carotenoids, particularly from foods like carrots or papayas, which can lead to skin yellowing. 2. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can onl...[Read More] Understanding Skin Color Changes in Children and Vaccine Guidelines
Essential Pediatric Vaccination Questions: Timing and Immunity Explained
Vaccine issues Hello Dr. Pei: I would like to ask you a few questions... (1) After receiving the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, how long should one wait before getting the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine? (2) My child has just turned one year old; can he receive the varicella vacc...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiao Fen, Hello! (1) After receiving the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, you can administer the Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine at any interval, even on the same day. (2) Starting this year, due to a nationwide shortage of vaccines, the administration of the Varicella vac...[Read More] Essential Pediatric Vaccination Questions: Timing and Immunity Explained
Understanding Pediatric Vaccination: Addressing Combination Vaccine Concerns
Five-in-one and six-in-one issues? Hello Doctor, Question 1: My child has been receiving the hexavalent vaccine since birth at 1.5 months, 3 months, and 6 months. I found online that the hepatitis B vaccine is administered at 1 month and 6 months, each at 0.5 ml. However, the he...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Penguin Mama, Hello, Question 1: My child is currently 1.5 years old and needs to receive the hexavalent vaccine. However, there is a shortage of the hexavalent vaccine across Taiwan. The Department of Health has suggested that the pentavalent vaccine can be administered i...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Vaccination: Addressing Combination Vaccine Concerns
Understanding Café-au-Lait Spots in Children: What Parents Should Know
Café au lait spots My child is currently 10 years old. A few days ago, during a medical visit, the doctor pointed out that he has café-au-lait spots on his body. I always thought they were birthmarks that just increased in number as he grew. The doctor mentioned that birthmarks d...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: I have organized the information as attached, hoping it will be helpful to you. Wishing you health and happiness! Sincerely, Pei Ren-Sheng.[Read More] Understanding Café-au-Lait Spots in Children: What Parents Should Know
Concerns About Kidney Stones in Children: X-Ray Risks and Calcium Levels
Kidney stones? Hello Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you two questions... (1) Due to the recent contaminated milk powder incident, I took my two children (one is 11 months old and the other is 4 years old) for urine tests to check for kidney stones. One of the procedures involved ta...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, Hello! Currently, all hospitals under the Department of Health have special outpatient clinics for kidney stones. Individuals experiencing cloudy urine, decreased urine output, or suspected consumption of melamine-containing foods can seek medical attention. The fi...[Read More] Concerns About Kidney Stones in Children: X-Ray Risks and Calcium Levels
Understanding Infant Brain Ultrasound Results: What Parents Should Know
Inquiry about infant brain ultrasound issues? Hello! My daughter was born on August 16 last year. Initially, a cranial ultrasound was performed, which revealed a cyst. After that, she was checked every three months: at three months, it was still present; at six months, it was the...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Anxious Father: Hello, Brain cyst types: arachnoid, colloid, dermoid, epidermoid, and pineal cysts… 1. Arachnoid Cyst: More common in infants and adolescents. Observation is the primary approach; surgery is required if the cyst enlarges or causes symptoms. 2. Colloid Cyst: Often ...[Read More] Understanding Infant Brain Ultrasound Results: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Your Baby's Constant Hunger: Pediatric Insights
Never feeling full? Hello, my son was born on July 23, weighing only 2280g, but everything was normal, so he didn't need to be placed in an incubator. The pediatrician mentioned that since he is small, I should feed him as much as he wants. Initially, I only breastfed him, b...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Fish: Hello, the daily food intake for a child should be between 100 to 180 cc/kg/day. If your child weighs 4 kg, they should consume between 400 to 720 cc throughout the day. There is no need to feed on a strict schedule; it is fine for the baby to drink whenever they want,...[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Constant Hunger: Pediatric Insights
Understanding Infant Spit-Up: Causes and Concerns for New Parents
Vomiting issues Hello Dr. Pei: My baby was born on May 21 of this year. Initially, he only occasionally had spitting up, but recently I have noticed that he has been spitting up continuously for two nights. He has been sleeping more than eating at night, so he only drinks once, b...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: 1. You mentioned that your baby has been sleeping more than eating at night. I suspect that it may be due to not burping properly, which can lead to the baby spitting up, coughing, and then vomiting. 2. A two-month-old male infant weighing 5800 grams is above average on th...[Read More] Understanding Infant Spit-Up: Causes and Concerns for New Parents
Understanding Your Child's Heavy Breathing: When to Seek Medical Help
The child is breathing in very forcefully? My son is 5 years old and has a history of allergic asthma. Since July 18, he has been breathing very hard intermittently, with his arms often moving around as if they are in a loop. He seems to feel itchy but does not scratch, and his a...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Hello: Based on your description, the inhalation is very forceful, and both arms often move around like in a circular motion, which resembles the manifestations of Tourette syndrome. Asthma typically involves difficulty during exhalation rather than inhalation, so it is not an as...[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Heavy Breathing: When to Seek Medical Help
Understanding Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Infants: Causes and Treatments
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction Hello Dr. Pei: I would like to ask you two questions.... (1) My child is currently over eight months old. At birth, there was always an excessive amount of discharge from the right eye, and the doctor said it was due to a blocked nasolacrimal duct. H...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiaofen, (1) Generally speaking, nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be classified into congenital and acquired types. Acquired obstruction typically occurs in adults, often with an unknown cause, and is most common in the elderly or postmenopausal women. There is speculation...[Read More] Understanding Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Infants: Causes and Treatments
Understanding Persistent Diarrhea with Mucus and Blood in Infants
Persistent diarrhea with mucus and streaks of blood? The child is currently 8 months and 10 days old. Since May 19, he has been experiencing diarrhea with mucus and blood-streaked stools. At the clinic, the doctor diagnosed it as Salmonella infection. After two weeks of medicatio...
Dr. Pei Rensheng reply Pediatrics
Dear Dora, Hello! 1. If diarrhea lasts more than two weeks, it is classified as chronic diarrhea. Conditions such as enteritis, food allergies, genetic factors, and immune issues can all contribute to chronic diarrhea. Your baby is likely experiencing post-infectious diarrhea ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Diarrhea with Mucus and Blood in Infants