Understanding Emotional Issues in Toddlers: Guidance for Parents
Emotional issues in young children? Hello, Dr. Hsiao. My child is about to turn three years old. Due to slow language development and occasional emotional dysregulation, I have scheduled a developmental assessment. I would like to ask, at this age, most children can communicate m...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It may be a matter of emotional disturbance or poor expressive abilities, and I believe a professional evaluation by a pediatric neurologist and a child psychiatrist is necessary, as this is a complex assessment. However, I would like to outline a few basic principles: First, unc...[Read More] Understanding Emotional Issues in Toddlers: Guidance for Parents
Which Specialist Should I Consult for My Son's ADHD and Brain Development?
Which specialty should I see? My son has impulsive attention deficit disorder, and I would like to understand the difference in his brain development compared to other children his age, or which specific areas may be underdeveloped that are affecting his comprehension, expression...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
To understand the neurological development of children, one typically consults the pediatric neurology department at a major hospital.[Read More] Which Specialist Should I Consult for My Son's ADHD and Brain Development?
Understanding Fever and Low White Blood Cell Count in Children
Fever of unknown origin and leukopenia? Dear Dr. Hsiao, My daughter started having a fever five days ago, with a recorded temperature of 39.7 degrees Celsius. There were no other obvious symptoms at that time. We visited a local hospital, where the doctor found signs of tonsilli...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The absence of an elevated body temperature is unlikely to be due to a lack of white blood cells for defense: this is not the case, as an increase in body temperature is a function of the thermoregulatory center in the brain. 2. Muscle soreness in both calves: this is mostly...[Read More] Understanding Fever and Low White Blood Cell Count in Children
Understanding Sleep Issues in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
The baby is currently 1 year and 9 months old and has been experiencing sleep issues since 5 to 6 months of age? Hello, doctor. My son is currently 1 year and 9 months old. He has been waking up frequently at night since he was 5-6 months old, often needing to be held and comfort...
Dr. Zhong Ruixian Reply:
1. How long does the baby sleep during the day? Has the sleep pattern shifted to primarily nighttime sleep? 2. Is his overall development on track? For example, is his head circumference growth within the normal range, can he walk independently, can he say more than 4-6 words, a...[Read More] Understanding Sleep Issues in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Language Development in Two-Year-Olds: When to Seek Help
Language Development in Two-Year-Old Children Hello Doctor, my son is two years and two months old. He has no issues with gross motor skills or other developmental areas, and his comprehension is quite good; he understands about 90% of what we say and can communicate effectively,...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Generally, if fine and gross motor skills are intact, and the child can follow adult instructions and exhibits appropriate social-emotional behavior, there should not be any concerns regarding brain issues. Your child's current language situation does not seem to indicate a ...[Read More] Understanding Language Development in Two-Year-Olds: When to Seek Help
Understanding Neonatal Brain Issues: Impact of Thalamic Bright Spots
Brain issues Hello, doctor. My daughter was born on March 20, 2019, at 36 weeks and 6 days. She experienced asphyxia and hypoxia at birth, along with seizures, and underwent hypothermia therapy. I would like to know if the bright spots observed in the neonatal EEG related to the ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: 1. According to the 2010 Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines, newborns born at or after 36 weeks of gestation who exhibit evidence of "moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy" may receive therapeutic hypothermia within 6 hours of birth. Clinical trials...[Read More] Understanding Neonatal Brain Issues: Impact of Thalamic Bright Spots
Understanding Strawberry Tongue in Children: Causes and Concerns
Tongue issues? Starting from April 5th, three children began to develop fevers one after another. The youngest child had a fever on April 5th but it resolved quickly. The second child had a fever that ended on April 6th without any prolonged high fever. However, the eldest child ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, unless the temperature exceeds 42 degrees Celsius, it is unlikely to cause brain damage. Normal body temperature fluctuates throughout the day and can be influenced by age, activity level, and other factors, so measurements may vary each time. The average normal core body ...[Read More] Understanding Strawberry Tongue in Children: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Persistent Fever in Children: Causes and Solutions
The child's body temperature has been consistently around 38 degrees Celsius? Hello, doctor. My child has been running a fever and has been hospitalized for a long time. Blood tests, urine tests, and sputum tests have all come back normal. We have been measuring her temperat...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Brain damage is only likely to occur if the body temperature exceeds 42 degrees Celsius. Normal body temperature fluctuates throughout the day and can be influenced by age, activity level, and other factors, so measurements may vary. The average normal core body temperatur...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Fever in Children: Causes and Solutions
Is My Baby Getting Enough Formula? Pediatric Feeding Concerns
Milk consumption issues? Hello, doctor! My son was born on January 16 this year, and today he is 2 months and 3 days old. I measured his weight to be approximately 4700-4900 grams, his length is 57 cm, and his head circumference is 38 cm (all measurements are self-reported as I h...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, the birth weight was 2470 grams, which is classified as low birth weight if born at term. Currently, the baby weighs 4.8 kilograms, which is approximately at the 10th percentile according to growth charts, indicating that the weight is still on the lighter side but within ...[Read More] Is My Baby Getting Enough Formula? Pediatric Feeding Concerns
Understanding Absence Seizures in Young Children: A Parent's Guide
Childhood Absence Seizures Hello Dr. Hsiao, my son is currently 2 years and 10 months old. When he was about 6 months old, he had a febrile seizure and was diagnosed with complex febrile seizures. Then, at 1 year and 10 months, he experienced another seizure of unknown origin. At...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The electroencephalogram (EEG) examines the electrical physiological condition of the brain, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain assesses for structural issues. These two tests are different and both are necessary. In patients with epilepsy, a single EEG may not a...[Read More] Understanding Absence Seizures in Young Children: A Parent's Guide
Understanding Skin Spots in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Please help me, doctor? Hello Doctor, when I was in the third or fourth grade, I developed a few small spots under my right armpit. At that time, I often practiced dancing at school and was frequently exposed to the sun while waving a fan. I also developed a large mole in the sam...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The diagnosis of neurofibromatosis is not solely based on the presence of café-au-lait spots; there are specific diagnostic criteria that must be met. Additionally, there must be more than six café-au-lait spots, and their sizes have certain limitations: before puberty, they must...[Read More] Understanding Skin Spots in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Should She Get Rechecked for Heart Concerns and Breathing Issues?
Would you recommend getting re-evaluated for this condition? Hello, doctor: I would like to ask if you would recommend her to get checked again based on the following conditions: 1. Her parents mentioned that she had a hole in her heart when she was a child, but they are unsure a...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, this 18-year-old girl seems to have physical abilities that are below her peers. There are many factors that could contribute to this, including body composition, heart function, lung capacity, airway health, brain function, musculoskeletal syste...[Read More] Should She Get Rechecked for Heart Concerns and Breathing Issues?
Understanding Hand Tremors in Premature Infants: What Parents Should Know
Tremors in premature infants? Dear Dr. Pei, My child was born prematurely, two months early, on June 6, 2017. As of today, the corrected age is 6 months and 20 days. In the past month, I have noticed that my child's hands are shaking involuntarily, with the left hand shakin...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, Neurodevelopmental disorders in premature infants primarily arise from two categories: 1. **Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)**: Intraventricular hemorrhage is a specific type of brain hemorrhage that occurs in premature infants. The incidence increases as the birth we...[Read More] Understanding Hand Tremors in Premature Infants: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Large Head Circumference in Infants: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Issues with increased head circumference in infants? Hello Doctor: My child was born in Taoyuan, Taiwan, but we are currently living in South Korea and are unable to return to Taiwan for follow-up. Since the prenatal check-ups until birth, my child's head circumference has b...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello! The standard for head circumference can be referenced from the Child Health Handbook. If it is greater than the 97th percentile, it is important to be cautious and rule out conditions such as hydrocephalus, brain tumors, and chondrodysplasia. The out-of-pocket ultrasound a...[Read More] Understanding Large Head Circumference in Infants: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Understanding Unexplained Pediatric Fever: Insights and Recommendations
Pediatric fever hospitalization with inconclusive test results? A year and a half ago, my child was hospitalized for 14 days due to a fever. During the hospitalization, many tests were conducted, but no clear results were found. The hospital kept suggesting additional tests, maki...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The hospitalization process for infants and young children is quite complex. As your child's attending physician, I cannot fully understand the situation by merely reviewing the medical records, which may lead to potential misinterpretations and could also violate medical et...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Pediatric Fever: Insights and Recommendations
Can Flu and Combination Vaccines Be Given Before Brain Injection for Kids?
Influenza vaccine and lumbar puncture? My child is 10 months old and recently received two vaccinations on December 14th - the flu vaccine and the hexavalent vaccine. Since then, my child has fallen multiple times and has developed a large bruise. I am concerned about the potenti...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Yes, it will not have any impact.[Read More] Can Flu and Combination Vaccines Be Given Before Brain Injection for Kids?
Understanding Post-Emergency Seizures in Infants After Heart Surgery
Seizures following infant resuscitation? Hello doctor, my baby is three months old and underwent a cardiac catheterization due to a heart defect. However, the procedure was not smooth, as her heart rate dropped, and it took 50 minutes of resuscitation to stabilize her. She was sa...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Infants who cannot undergo standard vision and hearing tests can have their visual and auditory functions assessed through visual evoked potential testing and hearing screening, which can help identify any abnormalities. Early detection of epilepsy and timely medication can signi...[Read More] Understanding Post-Emergency Seizures in Infants After Heart Surgery
Concerns About Pressure on an Infant's Fontanel: What Parents Should Know
The anterior fontanelle is compressed? Hello Doctor: My youngest son is about 3 months old. Yesterday, while I was gently touching his fontanelle, my 5-year-old son pressed down on it a few times when I wasn't paying attention. Could this cause any brain damage to my younges...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The anterior fontanelle of an infant is not as fragile as one might think. I believe that if there was no prolonged crying, agitation, or even temporary loss of consciousness at that time, there should be no major issues. I think that in cases of suspected head trauma, one should...[Read More] Concerns About Pressure on an Infant's Fontanel: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Meningitis in Infants: E. Coli Infection and Recovery Concerns
Escherichia coli causing meningitis? The baby, 9 days old, had a high fever and was admitted to a large hospital's intensive care unit. Urine and blood tests showed the presence of bacteria, and a lumbar puncture confirmed inflammation, but the culture report later indicated...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The absence of bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid culture does not completely rule out the possibility of meningitis; it is important to discuss this with your physician. The long-term effects of infant meningitis are not absolute; outcomes can range from no sequelae to severe compl...[Read More] Understanding Meningitis in Infants: E. Coli Infection and Recovery Concerns
Understanding Newborn Head Circumference: Concerns and Insights
Newborn head circumference Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you a question! My baby was born on April 6 of this year, weighing 3330 grams, with a height of 51 cm and a head circumference of 32.5 cm. At the one-month follow-up, the weight was 4500 grams, height was 52.6 cm, and ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Hydrocephalus can also develop gradually after birth due to certain causes, so a normal brain ultrasound at birth does not rule out the possibility of hydrocephalus later on. First, if the head circumference measurement is accurate, it is advisable to consult a pediatric departme...[Read More] Understanding Newborn Head Circumference: Concerns and Insights