Persistent High Fever in My 4-Year-Old: What Should I Do?
If your daughter's body temperature is consistently elevated, what should you do? My daughter is 4 years old. In mid-March, she was hospitalized for 6 days due to bronchitis and otitis media with a high fever, and she was on antibiotics for over two weeks. After being discha...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There are many causes of fever in children, such as infections (the most common), autoimmune diseases, tumors, drug fever, and summer heat, among others. Depending on the situation, it is advisable for your child to go to the hospital for examination (as there are diagnostic faci...[Read More] Persistent High Fever in My 4-Year-Old: What Should I Do?
How to Identify Allergies in Infants: A Guide for Parents
How to identify allergies in infants? Hello, doctor. My baby is 4 months old, and I would like to know how to determine if he is allergic. I asked the hospital, and they said that allergy testing through blood work can only be done after the age of three. However, some people say...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Allergic diseases are related to two factors: one is the allergic constitution, and the second is allergens. The allergic constitution is hereditary; many scholars have statistically found that if one parent has an allergic constitution, the child has a one in four to one ...[Read More] How to Identify Allergies in Infants: A Guide for Parents
Understanding Middle Ear Effusion in Children: Causes, Treatment, and Concerns
Middle ear effusion Hello Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you three questions... (1) My daughter is five years old. She caught a cold in early November last year, with symptoms of only a runny nose and cough. We have visited the doctor several times, but she has not fully recovered....
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: (1) If you have had a cold for two months, I recommend getting a chest X-ray to check for pneumonia or other issues. There is also a possibility of allergies, so a blood test to check for mycoplasma levels and allergy markers would be helpful to guide treatment. (2) Otitis...[Read More] Understanding Middle Ear Effusion in Children: Causes, Treatment, and Concerns
Understanding Allergies and Asthma in Young Children: A Parent's Guide
Allergic rhinitis / Asthma My daughter (2 years old) has always been in good health, rarely experiencing fever. When she does have a fever, it usually subsides quickly, often without the need for medication; just giving her some warm water is enough to help reduce the fever. Howe...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Mrs. Liang, Hello. Allergic diseases are related to two factors: one is the allergic constitution, and the second is the allergens. The allergic constitution can be hereditary; numerous studies have shown that if one parent has an allergic constitution, the child has a one ...[Read More] Understanding Allergies and Asthma in Young Children: A Parent's Guide
Understanding Frequent Coughing in Children: When to Seek Help
Regarding frequent coughing? My niece is currently 5 years old. Every time we take her to the doctor, they say she has a cold, but they always prescribe bronchodilators and theophylline. When we follow up with the doctor, the answer is that her airways are more sensitive. It take...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The causes of persistent cough in children include: respiratory allergies, post-nasal drip irritation, gastroesophageal reflux irritation, certain specific infections (such as mycoplasma pneumonia, etc.), foreign body aspiration, recurrent colds after recovery, non-respiratory is...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Coughing in Children: When to Seek Help
Concerns About H1N1 in a 12-Year-Old: When to Seek Further Care
Child suspected of H1N1? Hello Doctor: My child is currently 12 years old and in the fifth grade. Since October 17th (Saturday), he has been experiencing a fever of 38-39 degrees Celsius, along with a sore throat and cough with yellow phlegm. We visited a pediatric clinic, and ev...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
With symptoms similar to influenza and a fever above 38 degrees Celsius, you meet the criteria for a rapid influenza test. Additionally, it is necessary to check for pneumonia (via chest X-ray) and to conduct blood tests to assess the level of inflammation and determine if there ...[Read More] Concerns About H1N1 in a 12-Year-Old: When to Seek Further Care
Essential Pediatric Questions for New Moms: Feeding, Health, and Nutrition
Questions from New Moms 1. For a baby who is almost three months old, the typical milk intake is about 24 to 32 ounces (approximately 720 to 960 mL) per day, divided into several feedings. It's common for babies to have varying appetites, and if your baby is not showing sign...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: 1. The daily milk requirement for infants is approximately 100 to 200 cc per kilogram of body weight. If the infant weighs five kilograms, a minimum of 500 cc per day is essential. If the infant becomes restless and cries within three hours, it may indicate the need to inc...[Read More] Essential Pediatric Questions for New Moms: Feeding, Health, and Nutrition
Is Your Child's Fever a Sign of H1N1? Understanding Symptoms and Concerns
A 9-year-old child has been experiencing a high fever ranging from 37.6°C to 38.5°C for three consecutive days? The physician's young son, who is in the third grade, was exposed to a new influenza case at his after-school program last Friday, leading to the suspension of cla...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There is a clear history of exposure and flu-like symptoms, making the likelihood of a new influenza infection very high. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly for rapid testing.[Read More] Is Your Child's Fever a Sign of H1N1? Understanding Symptoms and Concerns
Understanding Mycoplasma Infections in Young Children: Symptoms and Diagnosis
What can you tell me about pediatric Mycoplasma infections? Hello Doctor, my child is three and a half years old. Since starting kindergarten in June, he has been experiencing intermittent colds, with symptoms including fever, runny nose, and cough, averaging about every two week...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
A three-and-a-half-year-old child has a relatively weak immune system and insufficient hygiene habits. As they begin to live in a group setting, it is inevitable that they will transmit respiratory symptoms to each other (as respiratory infections are most easily spread through d...[Read More] Understanding Mycoplasma Infections in Young Children: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Understanding Nighttime Cough in Young Children: Causes and Solutions
Nocturnal cough Hello Doctor: My child is three years and three months old, weighing 15 kg. She had a fever and cold on August 2nd, and since August 3rd, she has not had a fever. However, she has been coughing continuously at night, and it was particularly severe this morning, wi...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello, a cold will gradually improve even without medication, but children may sometimes have difficulty coughing up mucus or may develop thick nasal discharge, which requires appropriate treatment to prevent complications. It is especially important to monitor for wheezing or al...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime Cough in Young Children: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Increased Deep Breathing in Children: A Pediatric Perspective
Children often take deep breaths? A 7-year-old child (entering second grade) is 120 cm tall and weighs 26 kg. Previously, the child would occasionally take deep breaths, but recently the frequency of deep breathing has increased. The child visited a nearby clinic and consulted a ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Mrs. Cheng, Hello. Based on your description, it is very likely that your child has Tourette syndrome, which is one of the common ages for onset at 7 years old. Tourette syndrome was first described in 1885 by French physician Gilles de la Tourette. It is characterized by c...[Read More] Understanding Increased Deep Breathing in Children: A Pediatric Perspective
What to Do When Your Baby Has Sinusitis and Persistent Symptoms?
What should I do? My son is currently just four months old and has caught a cold for the first time. His symptoms include a runny nose and cough, and the doctor diagnosed him with sinusitis. He was prescribed antibiotics, and after completing a three-day course, his cough improve...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The diagnostic criteria for acute sinusitis generally include the presence of purulent nasal discharge (or post-nasal drip, which may sometimes present as productive cough) lasting more than one week. If sinusitis is "confirmed," a course of antibiotics for seven to ten...[Read More] What to Do When Your Baby Has Sinusitis and Persistent Symptoms?
How to Recognize Cold Symptoms in Newborns: A Parent's Guide
How can a newborn tell if they have a cold? My baby is almost one month old, but recently he has been crying a lot. I prepared 120 cc of formula for him, and he stopped crying. The elders say he might not be full. Is 120 cc too much for a baby close to one month old? His current ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There is no specific guideline for how often newborns should be fed formula. Some babies have a small stomach capacity and may experience spitting up, so they should be fed smaller amounts more frequently. Other babies can take larger amounts and have longer intervals between fee...[Read More] How to Recognize Cold Symptoms in Newborns: A Parent's Guide
Preventing Ant Invasion: Safety Tips for Infants and Young Children
Pest infestation Hello Dr. Hong, I would like to ask you about something. My child is now over 2 months old. There are always some small ants in the house, and although we are very careful to keep things clean, there are still some around. I am worried that they might crawl into ...
Dr. Hong Shuokun Reply:
Hello, Jia Yi: The chances of small insects entering the ears or nose are quite low. Since such small children cannot express themselves, the crawling of an insect may cause hearing impairment, leading to symptoms such as tinnitus, ear pain, dizziness, and reflex coughing. The ch...[Read More] Preventing Ant Invasion: Safety Tips for Infants and Young Children
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:
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
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:
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?
Persistent Fever in Children: When to Seek Further Medical Attention
Persistent high fever Hello, Dr. Hsieh. My son is over 3 years old and has had a fever of about 39 degrees Celsius (ear temperature) since last Sunday. We visited a clinic where the doctor diagnosed him with a cold and noted redness in his throat. As of today, he still has a feve...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: A common cold with a fever rarely lasts more than three days. It is advisable to visit a hospital for a thorough examination to check for any complications.[Read More] Persistent Fever in Children: When to Seek Further Medical Attention
Is My Baby Sick? Signs to Watch for in Infants
Are you experiencing a cold? Hello, doctor. My baby is currently 8 months old. For the past couple of nights, my baby has been having trouble sleeping, crying or making sounds approximately every hour. It seems like there is some phlegm. There is more nasal mucus than usual, but ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Generally, when there is phlegm in the trachea, it tends to cause noticeable coughing. A cold in the nose may lead to sneezing, nasal congestion, or increased nasal secretions (including more nasal mucus). It is possible that your baby has a slight cold (as it is difficult to ass...[Read More] Is My Baby Sick? Signs to Watch for in Infants
Post-Fever Care for Toddlers: Nutrition and Health Tips
Antipyretics. Complementary foods? Dear Dr. Hsiao, Thank you for your response on December 4th. My baby has been observed for another four days, and he has been normal without any fever, only experiencing slight coughing. I would like to ask: 1. If it is a viral infection and e...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The fever has subsided, appetite is normal, and there are no other specific symptoms; generally, the patient should be considered recovered and can be monitored at home. 2. Performing disinfection can help reduce the invasion of bacteria and viruses, thereby protecting healt...[Read More] Post-Fever Care for Toddlers: Nutrition and Health Tips
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:
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?