Understanding Growth Percentiles for Your 12-Year-Old Child
Height issues My child is 12 years old, with a height of 141.5 cm and a weight of 33 kg. What percentile does their height fall into compared to peers of the same age? Do they need to undergo any examinations?
Dr. Zhong Ruixian Reply:
The percentile range is around the 3rd to 15th; additionally, it is necessary to consider where his previous height fell within the range. If he has consistently been in the 3rd to 15th percentile, then observation and monitoring may suffice. However, if he was originally in the ...[Read More] Understanding Growth Percentiles for Your 12-Year-Old Child
Understanding Salmonella Gastroenteritis in Young Children: Key Insights and Care Tips
Bacterial gastroenteritis My child is one year and seven months old. After a week of fever and diarrhea, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with Salmonella gastroenteritis. I would like to ask you: 1. It has been eight days since the onset of the illness, and he is still having di...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The typical stool in salmonella enteritis is deep green and foul-smelling. 2. Improvement in the condition is relative; for example, if the fever subsides, the frequency of diarrhea decreases, and the stool gradually becomes more formed, then that indicates improvement. 3....[Read More] Understanding Salmonella Gastroenteritis in Young Children: Key Insights and Care Tips
Can Children Inherit Mental Health Issues from Drug-Addicted Parents?
Genetic issues Hello, Dr. Pei! Regarding the previous question: My father has a history of drug abuse that has led to mental illness. Is there a possibility that the child may inherit mental health issues in the future? Last time you mentioned that the type and dosage of addictiv...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Min-Chen, 1. Numerous genetic and twin studies have confirmed that mental disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are hereditary. 2. Mental abnormalities caused by drug use are not hereditary. 3. The child is currently 2 years and 10 months old, and there are n...[Read More] Can Children Inherit Mental Health Issues from Drug-Addicted Parents?
Impact of Parental Substance Abuse on Children's Developmental Issues
Genetic issues If a father has a history of drug abuse that has led to mental health disorders, the children born to him may be at a higher risk for several issues, including: 1. **Mental Health Disorders**: Children may be more susceptible to developing anxiety, depression, or ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Min-Chen, Hello! 1. Newborns may be affected by maternal substance use, but there is limited literature on the impact of paternal drug use on the fetus. 2. Factors influencing newborns include: the presence of other infections, low birth weight, the type and dosage of a...[Read More] Impact of Parental Substance Abuse on Children's Developmental Issues
How to Address Your Baby's Milk Intake Concerns at 3 Months
Baby's milk intake Hello, doctor. My baby is now over 3 months old and weighs 7.5 kg. Since two months, he has been drinking a total of over 500 to 600 ml of milk daily, but this amount hasn't increased. Recently, he has shown signs of milk aversion and sometimes only d...
Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello: The letter mentions that the baby is showing signs of milk aversion and is currently not consuming enough milk. If the baby is drinking too much water, the milk intake may be even more insufficient. It is generally recommended to start introducing complementary foods after...[Read More] How to Address Your Baby's Milk Intake Concerns at 3 Months
Can Probiotics Be Added to Infant Formula for Fussy Babies?
Infant probiotics My baby is currently over three months old and has a severe aversion to milk. Can I add probiotics to the baby formula? Thank you.
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If the infant does not exhibit symptoms such as fever, throat inflammation, herpetic pharyngitis that prevents feeding, vomiting, or diarrhea, and shows normal activity levels, along with height and weight following their growth curve without significant deviation, this is consid...[Read More] Can Probiotics Be Added to Infant Formula for Fussy Babies?
Understanding Toddler Bowel Habits: Is Your Child's Routine Normal?
Toddler bowel issues? Hello Doctor: My son is one year and seven months old. He often has a bowel movement about half an hour after eating, but it is not diarrhea, so he has a bowel movement about 2 to 3 times a day. Is this common for children at this stage? Is his gastrointesti...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The gastrocolic reflex in infants is relatively sensitive, which is normal. It is acceptable for infants to have bowel movements ranging from two to three times a day to once every two to three days, as long as the stool is not hard or watery.[Read More] Understanding Toddler Bowel Habits: Is Your Child's Routine Normal?
Understanding Baby Eczema: Causes, Treatments, and Allergy Testing
Baby eczema Hello Doctor: My baby loves to bite on things and their hands, and they often rub them together, resulting in a lot of drool around their mouth. There are some eczema patches near their mouth. We visited a dermatologist who prescribed a topical ointment, but it reappe...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Excessive use of steroid ointments can lead to skin atrophy and thinning, proliferation and dilation of microvessels, and loss of melanin resulting in lighter skin tone. Therefore, special caution is required when using steroid ointments on infants, as they are more susceptible t...[Read More] Understanding Baby Eczema: Causes, Treatments, and Allergy Testing
Long-Term Antibiotic Use in Children: Risks and Effectiveness Explained
Long-term use of antibiotics? Hello, my 13-year-old daughter has a history of asthma and lung collapse. Recently, she had a severe cold that led to coughing up blood. The doctor diagnosed her with bronchiectasis and noted low blood oxygen levels (92-95). The treating physician ha...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Jack, Hello! 1. The treatment for bronchiectasis in children includes chest physiotherapy and antibiotic therapy. 2. Potential underlying causes need to be ruled out, including immunodeficiency, foreign body aspiration, and other conditions such as congenital structural ...[Read More] Long-Term Antibiotic Use in Children: Risks and Effectiveness Explained
How to Tell If Your Baby Is Hungry: Tips for New Parents
The baby is hungry? Doctor: I would like to ask how I can observe if my child is hungry at home, as it is usually just my wife and me taking care of the little one, and when should the next meal be scheduled?
Dr. Zhong Ruixian Reply:
Dear Parents, I apologize for the late response due to recent busy schedules. Generally, infants around 3 months old need to be fed approximately every 3-4 hours, resulting in about 6-8 feedings per day. Newborns typically require more frequent night feedings. However, when a ba...[Read More] How to Tell If Your Baby Is Hungry: Tips for New Parents
Is Your Baby Arching Back? Understanding Infant Posture Concerns
The baby is tilting their head backward? Dear Doctor, my baby is just two months old, and I've noticed that when I hold him, he tends to arch his back and lean backward. Should I be particularly concerned about this? Thank you.
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Be aware of any accompanying symptoms such as gaze fixation or altered consciousness (which may indicate a seizure), and observe if the posture remains rigid for an extended period (which may suggest opisthotonos). Additionally, monitor for any gradual increase in muscle tone or ...[Read More] Is Your Baby Arching Back? Understanding Infant Posture Concerns
How to Correct Flat Head Syndrome in Infants: Tips for Parents
Infant head shape Dear Doctor, my baby is four months old and usually sleeps on her back. However, I have noticed that her head is a bit flat. Is it urgent to adjust her sleeping position to make her head shape rounder? I am also considering buying a pillow designed to correct fl...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
At four months old, an infant's head shape has not yet fully stabilized and is still adjustable. To promote development and prevent flat head syndrome, parents can allow the baby to spend supervised awake time in a prone position. There is no evidence to support the effectiv...[Read More] How to Correct Flat Head Syndrome in Infants: Tips for Parents
Understanding Your Baby's Sleep Movements and Sounds: What to Watch For
Baby sleeping? Dear Doctor, my baby is over one month old and often moves restlessly while sleeping, making sounds that are not just stretching. Should I be particularly concerned or check for anything? Thank you.
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Be aware of any signs of limb rigidity or constant shaking, or if there is a combination of a blank stare while awake, as these may indicate the occurrence of infant seizures.[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Sleep Movements and Sounds: What to Watch For
Should I Continue Formula Milk for My Three-Year-Old Child?
A three-year-old child? Hello, Doctor: I apologize for interrupting your consultation time. My child just turned three years old, and given his current situation, should I continue to give him formula milk? He drinks it three to four times a day; sometimes he only drinks it two o...
Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
Children's diets should primarily consist of solid foods, similar to adult diets, which include rice and noodles as staples, complemented by a balanced intake of meat, fish, beans, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. Milk intake can be reduced to twice a day. Following these guide...[Read More] Should I Continue Formula Milk for My Three-Year-Old Child?
Is Side-Lying Bottle Feeding Safe for My Baby? Expert Insights
Side-lying bottle feeding Hello, doctor. My baby is currently three and a half months old. She is very active and rarely cries, so she is quite an angel. However, she doesn't seem very focused when drinking milk. She is exclusively bottle-fed with breast milk. Sometimes she ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Side-lying bottle feeding is acceptable, but the area beneath the head and neck should be slightly supported to elevate the head. This helps prevent milk from remaining in the mouth for too long, which could be detrimental to the teeth and ear canal.[Read More] Is Side-Lying Bottle Feeding Safe for My Baby? Expert Insights
Can Twins Receive Oral Rotavirus Vaccine at 6 Months Old?
Oral rotavirus vaccine Hello, Dr. Hsiao. I would like to ask if it is still possible to administer the oral rotavirus vaccine to my twin children who are nearly 6 months old. I previously read online that administering the first dose after 3 months could increase the risk of intu...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The Rotarix vaccine is approved for use up to 24 weeks of age (approximately six months) at the time of its launch, as its clinical trials only included infants under 24 weeks. The RotaTeq vaccine, which is a three-dose series, can be used up to 32 weeks of age. However, the Unit...[Read More] Can Twins Receive Oral Rotavirus Vaccine at 6 Months Old?
Essential Tips for Introducing Solid Foods to Picky Toddlers
Infant complementary foods Hello: Since our little one will turn three years old after the summer vacation, I have bought some complementary foods for him to eat. Both my partner and I work during the day, so we leave our child with a nanny, and we take him back in the evening. O...
Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
If a balanced diet provides sufficient nutrition, there is no need to supplement with additional nutritional products. However, if there are issues with picky eating leading to poor development or growth delays, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician for a professional assessm...[Read More] Essential Tips for Introducing Solid Foods to Picky Toddlers
Is Four Feedings a Day Enough for My Four-Month-Old Baby?
Is drinking four meals a day too little for someone over four months old? Hello doctor, my child is currently four and a half months old and weighs 6.7 kg. She is currently having four meals a day, drinking 200 cc each time. Is this sufficient? Is the interval between her last fe...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Typically, a five-month-old infant's weight is double their birth weight, so it appears that your child's weight gain is normal, indicating that her milk intake should be sufficient. Similarly, if the child's weight gain is normal and based on her own needs, there ...[Read More] Is Four Feedings a Day Enough for My Four-Month-Old Baby?
Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Symptoms and Recovery Insights
Enterovirus Hello, Doctor. I started experiencing a high fever (39-40 degrees Celsius) from last Thursday, which lasted for three days, and then I developed herpetic pharyngitis. The doctor diagnosed it as a viral infection. After three days of sore throat, it has gradually impro...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Herpetic pharyngitis with high fever (39-40 degrees Celsius) can confirm a diagnosis of enterovirus infection. However, it is also possible for the patient to have concurrent infections, and it is medically impossible to guarantee that there will be no other infections. The key c...[Read More] Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Symptoms and Recovery Insights
When Should Children Start Using a Pillow? Expert Advice on Timing and Height
When should a baby start using a pillow? Hello, doctor. I have a few questions about when to start using a pillow. I found information online stating that some say to start at three months, while others say one year or even two years. What is the recommended height for the pillow...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that cribs should not contain any soft objects, including pillows, stuffed toys, comforters, blankets, wool products, or soft bedding, to prevent the risk of infant suffocation. Therefore, it is not necessary for infants under one yea...[Read More] When Should Children Start Using a Pillow? Expert Advice on Timing and Height