Is Black Stool Normal After Eating Purple Sweet Potato Puree?
Is it normal for purple sweet potato puree to cause black stools? Hello, doctor. I am a caregiver taking care of a relative's child at home. Recently, the child's mother mentioned that the child has black stools. However, the child has no pain after drinking milk! The o...
Dr. Lin Yishou Reply:
Dear parents, consuming darker-colored foods can indeed cause the stool to appear darker. However, if there is black stool, it is important to consider the possibility of gastrointestinal bleeding. If black stool persists, it is advisable to visit a hospital for a stool test for ...[Read More] Is Black Stool Normal After Eating Purple Sweet Potato Puree?
Understanding Speech Delays in Toddlers: When to Seek Help
Speech issues in children Hello Doctor: The child is currently one year and nine months old (with a four-year-old sister). During the day, the grandparents take care of him, and the parents only care for him after work in the evening. He started walking at one year old and is now...
Dr. Lin Yishou Reply:
Hello, parents. Based on your description, your child is developing well. If you still have concerns, you can ask the physician to evaluate your child during the routine vaccination visit.[Read More] Understanding Speech Delays in Toddlers: When to Seek Help
Understanding Pediatric Penile Concerns: When to Seek Medical Advice
Penile issues Hello, Doctor. I am Chen from Taichung. I often feel troubled by my penis size; it is only 3 cm when flaccid and 5-6 cm when erect. I always feel that this is abnormal! Is this related to my weight? (I weigh 43 kg) Or is it due to my constitution? Is it related to m...
Dr. Lin Yishou Reply:
Please visit the outpatient clinic for a consultation, or alternatively, consult with another physician.[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Penile Concerns: When to Seek Medical Advice
Do 3-Year-Olds Need Preventive TB Medication After Positive Skin Test?
Skin test of 10 cm for a 3-year-old child? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you a question. My grandfather, who lives with us, has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. My 3-year-old son had a normal chest X-ray, but his skin test measured exactly 10 mm. The pediatric infectious di...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Numerous international studies have shown that the lifetime risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) among contacts of infectious pulmonary tuberculosis cases is as high as 17% for children, compared to 5% for adults. Data from our country also indicate that younger con...[Read More] Do 3-Year-Olds Need Preventive TB Medication After Positive Skin Test?
Swollen Eyelids in 2-Month-Old Baby: Causes and Concerns
A 2-month-old baby has swollen eyelids? Hello doctor, my baby is currently 2 months old. Recently, when he wakes up, the area around his eyes is swollen but not red or inflamed, just simply puffy. What could be the issue? Thank you.
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: It may be due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Less common factors include deficiencies in the heart, liver, kidneys, or albumin and other nutrients. Wishing you health and happiness! Sincerely, Rensheng.[Read More] Swollen Eyelids in 2-Month-Old Baby: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Vaccine Side Effects vs. Common Cold in Infants
Side effects of the varicella (chickenpox) and measles vaccine? Hello, Dr. Hsiao: My baby turned 1 year old on December 8 and received the varicella and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) combination vaccine on December 11. Starting December 12, he began coughing and had trouble sleep...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The varicella, measles, rubella, and mumps combination vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. If there are side effects, they typically occur 5 to 12 days after vaccination. Since your child is experiencing cold symptoms one or two days after vaccination, it is unlikely to be a si...[Read More] Understanding Vaccine Side Effects vs. Common Cold in Infants
Understanding Your Child's Sudden Arm Pain and Fever: What to Know
My son keeps complaining about hand pain? Hello doctor, my son is currently 4 years old. Last week, he suddenly cried out that his foot hurt one night, but after a while, he was fine. However, today before his nap, he complained of pain in his hand. During his nap, he suddenly go...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Due to the lack of a more meaningful specific complaint and the difficulty in determining the diagnosis without a personal examination of the patient (as there are too many possibilities), it is advisable to consult a pediatrician for a thorough examination, especially since ther...[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Sudden Arm Pain and Fever: What to Know
Concerns About Iron Supplements and Iodine Exposure in Toddlers
Iron supplement issues? Hello Doctor, my daughter is currently 2 years old and has been taking iron supplements for a year, approximately 6 drops of iron drops twice a day. Her previous blood test showed a level of about 22. Does she still need to continue taking the iron supplem...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Iron supplements for iron deficiency anemia should be taken until blood hemoglobin levels normalize, and regular monitoring of hemoglobin and serum iron levels is necessary to assess progress. Typically, supplementation should continue for an additional two to three months after ...[Read More] Concerns About Iron Supplements and Iodine Exposure in Toddlers
Understanding Baby's Bowel Movements: When to Worry and What to Expect
Baby bowel movements Hello doctor, my baby is currently 1 month and 13 days old and is exclusively breastfed. However, he hasn't had a bowel movement for five days. He usually consumes 120 ml of milk, but for some reason, he hasn't been finishing it these past few days....
Dr. Zhong Ruixian Reply:
Hello! Based on your question, there are several possible causes: 1. **Fecal Impaction**: If the stools in the colon are hard or abundant, it can affect the baby's feeding. Check if the baby has abdominal distension or if there are hard stools at the anus. Breastfed infant...[Read More] Understanding Baby's Bowel Movements: When to Worry and What to Expect
Understanding Abdominal Pain and Nausea in Children: Possible Causes
When children eat, they often complain of stomach pain and feel like vomiting? Hello Doctor, my son is five years old and for the past month or two, he has been complaining of stomach pain every time he eats (the pain starts after just one or two bites) and he also feels nauseous...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello! The upper abdomen contains organs such as the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. If there is pain in the upper abdomen, it could be due to inflammation, growths, psychological factors, and more. In addition to ultrasound and X-rays, considerations may i...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain and Nausea in Children: Possible Causes
Understanding Pediatric Asthma: Diagnosis and Symptoms Explained
Pediatric Asthma Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my child who will be 5 years old in 2 months. The pediatrician said he has asthma, but the doctor only listened to his chest. During the consultation, I mentioned that he coughs at night and sometimes wakes up from coughin...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Diagnosing asthma in children under five years old is challenging because respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing can also occur in children without asthma. Additionally, routine pulmonary function tests to assess airflow limitation are not feasible in this age group. ...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Asthma: Diagnosis and Symptoms Explained
Understanding Asthma in Young Children: Concerns About Prolonged Use of Medications
Pediatric asthma Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my child, who is two months away from turning 5 years old and has been diagnosed with asthma. He has been prescribed Montelukast (Singulair). However, as you mentioned, diagnosing asthma in children under 5 years old can b...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Long-term use of leukotriene antagonists has very few side effects, making them a relatively safe maintenance medication. A small number of children may experience increased irritability and restlessness after taking them; if such side effects occur, discontinuation of the medica...[Read More] Understanding Asthma in Young Children: Concerns About Prolonged Use of Medications
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
Common Causes of Rashes on Newborns' Faces: What Parents Should Know
Neonatal facial rash? My friend's child is 20 days old and is still staying at a postpartum care center. Recently, several small red rashes have appeared on the baby's face, but the appetite and activity level are still normal. What could be the possible reasons?
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is possible that it is just a common neonatal toxic erythema (which is of unknown cause but benign and will resolve on its own after some time). However, neonatal skin rashes can also have other causes. Without seeing the actual rash, it is difficult to make a determination. I...[Read More] Common Causes of Rashes on Newborns' Faces: What Parents Should Know
Will I Still Grow Taller? Understanding Height Potential at Age 12
Am I still going to grow taller? I am 12 years old. My dad is 175 cm tall and my mom is 158 cm tall. I have had my period for almost a year, but I haven't grown taller since February 20, 2017, until November 1, 2017, which means I haven't grown for about 8 months. Can y...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Girls have the opportunity to grow taller until around the ages of seventeen or eighteen, before the growth plates in their bones close. After puberty, the final height is determined by various factors, such as genetic inheritance, good lifestyle habits, adequate sleep, sufficien...[Read More] Will I Still Grow Taller? Understanding Height Potential at Age 12
Understanding Frequent Vomiting in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Children are prone to vomiting? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I would like to ask you about my 2-year-old daughter. She often cries and then vomits, or she coughs and vomits, especially after drinking milk in the evening. She usually drinks more at night, about 150cc at 7 PM and 200cc before ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
In a two-year-old child, the lower esophageal sphincter at the junction of the esophagus and stomach is still immature, which makes it easier for vigorous diaphragm movements, such as crying or severe coughing, to trigger gastroesophageal reflux and vomiting. This is generally no...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Vomiting in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Understanding BCG Vaccine Reactions and Kawasaki Disease in Children
BCG vaccine issues Hello, doctor. When my child was about 2 years old, he had a cold, and I noticed that the area where he received the BCG vaccine was pink. I can't remember if he had a fever for more than five days. Later, during a routine check-up at the hospital, I asked...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Without directly observing the appearance of the BCG scar and conducting a physical examination, it is difficult to determine if it is normal. Kawasaki disease is an immune system issue with specific treatment methods; common cold medications typically do not reduce fever. Theref...[Read More] Understanding BCG Vaccine Reactions and Kawasaki Disease in Children
Understanding Abdominal Pain During Bowel Movements in Young Children
Bowel issues - abdominal pain during defecation? Hello Doctor: My child is currently 3 years and 3 months old. For the past two to three weeks, he has been experiencing severe abdominal pain during bowel movements, which resolves immediately after he finishes. His bowel habits (f...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello! Pain during bowel movements at this age is most commonly associated with constipation combined with anal fissures. Even after softening the stool, pain may still occur following the development of an anal fissure. Other potential causes include polyps, hemorrhoids, periana...[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain During Bowel Movements in Young Children
Will My Child's Mild Sore Throat Affect Flu Vaccine Effectiveness?
Influenza vaccine Hello doctor, my son is four years old and he woke up with a slight cough on Saturday morning, so I took him to see a doctor. The doctor said his throat was a bit red and prescribed two packets of medication. He took one packet on Sunday, but he hasn't had ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Mild colds and the use of common cold medications do not affect the efficacy of the influenza vaccine.[Read More] Will My Child's Mild Sore Throat Affect Flu Vaccine Effectiveness?
Understanding Urinary Retention Issues in Children: A Parent's Guide
Children's urinary retention issues? My daughter is 8 years old and often exhibits behaviors of holding in her urine. This occurs both at home and outside. When she feels the urge to urinate, she often cannot sit still or stand comfortably. When asked if she needs to go to t...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Behavioral training can be initiated, such as implementing appropriate punishment. If there is any leakage, assistance should be provided to clean the underwear, or privileges related to their favorite activities may be revoked. Positive reinforcement should be given for proactiv...[Read More] Understanding Urinary Retention Issues in Children: A Parent's Guide