Assessing Tuberculosis Transmission Risk in Young Children
Pediatric tuberculosis If an adult's sputum smear test is negative but a bacterial culture shows a very low quantity of bacteria, and my two-year-old child has been in close contact with this adult for 48 hours, what is the likelihood of transmission? The child has had a nor...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Tuberculosis (TB) is not as easily transmitted as one might think. The likelihood of transmission depends on several factors, including the bacterial load of the infected individual, whether they have open pulmonary tuberculosis, the distance between individuals, personal immunit...[Read More] Assessing Tuberculosis Transmission Risk in Young Children
Understanding Shaken Baby Syndrome: Risks of Jumping Activities in Infants
Shaken Baby Syndrome Hello Doctor: I would like to ask about Shaken Baby Syndrome. My puppy is currently over 7 months old, and my family often supports him under his armpits, allowing him to jump up and down on his tiptoes, similar to how adults jump rope. They keep doing this c...
Dr. He Ciyuan Reply:
Due to my absence, I am unaware of the force of the jumps at that time. If there are any further jumps, please intervene immediately. If there are concerns about Shaken Baby Syndrome, it is advisable to take the infant to a nearby hospital with a pediatric department for an exami...[Read More] Understanding Shaken Baby Syndrome: Risks of Jumping Activities in Infants
Understanding Language Development Issues in Toddlers: What Parents Should Know
Language issues in children? Hello Dr. Hsiao: A classmate's child will turn 2 years old in three months, but currently, he does not speak simple sentences and only says a few simple words, mostly "mama," "no," and other meaningless babbling. He is very ac...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
At the age of two, language development typically includes the ability to say a few simple sentences and to use at least ten or more words. Children may also combine several words meaningfully, such as saying "Mommy dog" when they see a dog. If other gross motor skills,...[Read More] Understanding Language Development Issues in Toddlers: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Toe Walking in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Children walking on their tiptoes? Hello Doctor: My daughter is now 6 years old. Since she started walking, she has been walking on her tiptoes. I initially thought she was just having fun, but I have noticed that her balance is significantly worse than that of other children her...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiao Ai, Hello! After a child learns to walk, it is indeed concerning if they frequently walk on tiptoes, as this improper walking pattern can lead to conditions such as pes planus (flatfoot) and may affect their stability while walking, potentially causing spinal deformiti...[Read More] Understanding Toe Walking in Children: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Ear Infection Vaccines: Are They Worth It for Your Toddler?
Otitis media vaccine Hello Dr. Hsiao, I apologize for bothering you again. My question is: Recently, I found in a hospital publication that there are vaccines for otitis media and meningitis that can be administered to young children. My child is currently about 16 months old and...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
I believe the vaccines you refer to for otitis media and meningitis are the 7-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines. Since Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common pathogen responsible for bacterial otitis media and bacterial meningitis, the pneumococcal vaccine can also ...[Read More] Understanding Ear Infection Vaccines: Are They Worth It for Your Toddler?
Understanding Sleep Issues in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Pediatric Sleep Issues The child is currently 1.5 years old and weighs 10 pounds. He was a preterm infant born at 33 weeks with a birth weight of 2450 grams. Since he was two months old, he has had poor sleep. He typically falls asleep around 8-9 PM, which is normal, but starts t...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Grandma, Hello! When calcium levels are low, neuromuscular excitability increases, which can lead to symptoms such as muscle spasms, tetany, seizures, and emotional disturbances like irritability and mood instability. Prolonged low calcium levels can cause impaired bone min...[Read More] Understanding Sleep Issues in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Addressing Children's Habitual Touching: When to Seek Help
Children's hand addiction My daughter frequently touches her genital area (for the past two years). Sometimes she uses the corner of the table instead of her hands, which has caused the skin on both sides of her groin to darken due to repeated friction. Initially, it was tho...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Some behaviors in children that seem peculiar to adults are often temporary phenomena in their developmental process. However, if these behaviors deviate from generally accepted social norms, adults should guide and correct them to prevent the child from perceiving these actions ...[Read More] Addressing Children's Habitual Touching: When to Seek Help
Understanding Pediatric Kidney Issues: Bedwetting and Urinary Concerns
Pediatric kidneys Hello Dr. Fei: My ten-year-old child was very underweight at birth and has a condition of ectopic kidney. He still experiences bedwetting, drinks a lot of water during the day, has a high frequency of urination, and his urine has a significant amount of bubbles ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: "Nephroptosis" (also called floating kidney or renal ptosis) refers to a condition where the kidneys, located on either side of the spine in the abdominal cavity, become mobile. Normally, the kidneys are surrounded by a layer of fat that not only protects them bu...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Kidney Issues: Bedwetting and Urinary Concerns
Is Thymic Hypertrophy Serious in Infants? Key Concerns and Insights
Is a protruding chest line serious? Hello Doctor, DD is now 5 months old. When he was a little over 1 month old, he was hospitalized for pneumonia with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius for a week at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. He had a follow-up appointment a week after discharge,...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Elaine, The thymus is one of the glands in the human body where some bone marrow cells mature. It is located at the upper part of the sternum, between the two lung lobes, and beneath the thyroid gland. As a person ages, the thymus gradually shrinks, but it still retains its...[Read More] Is Thymic Hypertrophy Serious in Infants? Key Concerns and Insights
Understanding the 5-in-1 Vaccine: Timing and Co-Administration for Infants
Pentavalent vaccine Hello Dr. Hsiao, I apologize for bothering you again. I would like to ask: 1. Is it possible to administer the fourth dose of the pentavalent vaccine (which is scheduled at 18 months) when the baby is 15 months old? 2. Can the fourth dose of the pentavalent va...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The fourth dose of the pentavalent vaccine is an additional dose, which is required to be administered one year after the third dose given at six months of age, meaning it should be given at 18 months of age. While there is a guideline stating that the interval should not be l...[Read More] Understanding the 5-in-1 Vaccine: Timing and Co-Administration for Infants
Understanding Asymmetrical Kidneys in Preterm Infants: Risks and Care
One kidney is larger than the other? My child, who is a preterm infant born at 34 weeks, is now almost one year old. Recently, we visited a pediatric clinic due to diarrhea, and the doctor discovered through an ultrasound that one of his kidneys is larger than the other. Both the...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: The kidneys are not of equal size, but if there is a difference greater than 1 cm, further evaluation is necessary. Of course, if both kidneys are atrophied or inflamed and enlarged, that is also a possibility. It is recommended to seek evaluation at a hospital.[Read More] Understanding Asymmetrical Kidneys in Preterm Infants: Risks and Care
Understanding Involuntary Movements in Newborns: Causes and Concerns
Newborns may experience involuntary twitching of their hands, feet, or head? Dear Dr. Hsieh, Hello! My baby girl is about ten days old. She underwent brain ultrasound, cardiac ultrasound, and hearing tests at birth, all of which showed no abnormalities. Last Thursday and this Tu...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Infants spend a significant amount of time sleeping during their growth period. During this process, some may exhibit signs of exertion such as twitching of the limbs or facial flushing. However, if there are movements like blinking, nodding, or chewing, further evaluation is nec...[Read More] Understanding Involuntary Movements in Newborns: Causes and Concerns
Impact of Multiple CT Scans on Toddler's Brain Development and Health Risks
Repeated CT scans of the brain in young children? My 2-year and 7-month-old daughter had a car accident in mid-May, where her head hit the ground. She vomited once in the emergency room, and the doctor arranged for a CT scan of her head. She struggled a lot, so she ended up havin...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Zoe, Hello! The following article is for your reference. Reasons for the Popularity of Computed Tomography (CT) Scans The reason why computed tomography (CT) scanning technology is favored by both doctors and patients is that it can quickly provide diagnostic reports, is ...[Read More] Impact of Multiple CT Scans on Toddler's Brain Development and Health Risks
Understanding Frequent Urination in Toddlers: Causes and Concerns
Frequent urination in children? Hello, my child is currently 1 year and 4 months old. I have noticed that he frequently urinates without wearing a diaper. He urinates very often, about every 10 to 15 minutes, and the volume is not much. This situation has been ongoing for quite s...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
This situation may indicate the presence of frequent urination, but there are many potential causes for this condition, such as urinary tract infections, bladder dysfunction, urinary tract obstruction, diabetes, neurological control issues, psychological factors, and other tempor...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Urination in Toddlers: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Cryptorchidism in Infants: When to Consider Surgery?
Cryptorchidism in children Hello Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you a question. When my child was born, the doctor mentioned that one of his testicles had not descended and was still in his abdomen. They said it might descend on its own as he grows older. Now my child is almost 11...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiao Fen, Hello! 1. If a child is diagnosed with cryptorchidism and remains undescended by the age of 6 months, treatment is recommended. 2. Hormonal therapy or surgical intervention can be considered, and I suggest you consult a urologist. Currently, surgical treatment ...[Read More] Understanding Cryptorchidism in Infants: When to Consider Surgery?
Concerns About Probiotics Containing Plasticizers in Children
Children consuming probiotics containing plasticizers? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I have two children (a daughter in fourth grade and a son in second grade) who have been taking probiotics containing phthalates at 794 ppm for a year and a half (approximately one packet every two days). C...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Attached is the latest statement from the Taiwan Pediatric Association regarding recommendations for health screening of children suspected of exposure to phthalate plasticizers, dated June 1, 2011. 1. Research from various countries indicates that populations worldwide may be e...[Read More] Concerns About Probiotics Containing Plasticizers in Children
Managing Nasal Allergies in Infants: Tips for Parents
Nasal allergies Dr. He: Hello, my child is almost 8 months old. During the winter, with temperature changes, he tends to sneeze, and in severe cases, he has a runny nose and nasal congestion. I would like to ask Dr. He the following questions: 1. Besides home cleaning to remove d...
Dr. He Ciyuan Reply:
1. It is important to maintain a balanced diet, engage in moderate exercise, and ensure adequate rest to support immune function. It is recommended to undergo blood tests to identify allergens to avoid them. Additionally, pay attention to weather changes, especially in cold and w...[Read More] Managing Nasal Allergies in Infants: Tips for Parents
Can a 13-Month-Old Child Still Have Biliary Atresia?
Can a 1 year and 1 month old child still have biliary atresia? My child is 1 year and 1 month old. He started having a fever last Saturday, with an average temperature of 38.5°C. After administering antipyretics, the fever returns approximately every six hours. On the third day, ...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello; the resolution of a child's fever does not necessarily mean that they have fully recovered. If their appetite has not returned or their activity level has decreased, it is important to have them evaluated by a physician. Inflammation of the biliary tract can lead to r...[Read More] Can a 13-Month-Old Child Still Have Biliary Atresia?
Understanding Normal Childhood Development: Concerns About Pediatric Genitalia
Pediatric genitalia Hello Doctor: I have a question that I would like to ask, but I'm not sure which specialist to consult. My son is only 8 years old, but he often complains that his penis frequently becomes erect, which he finds bothersome. Is this normal? If it is not nor...
Dr. Zhan Mingxuan Reply:
Hello, Mother of the Lamb: It is normal for young boys to experience physiological erections occasionally. However, if they occur too frequently, it is advisable to consult a urologist for evaluation.[Read More] Understanding Normal Childhood Development: Concerns About Pediatric Genitalia
Understanding Allergies and Asthma in Young Children: A Parent's Guide
Allergic asthma in children? Dear Doctor, I would like to inquire about my child's allergies and asthma issues. I am currently abroad and have a two-and-a-half-year-old child who has been experiencing cold symptoms since the beginning of the year. Initially, he had a persis...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Persistent cough in children that lasts a long time and is difficult to resolve is most commonly caused by respiratory allergies. The key to using allergy medications is that they should only be prescribed by an "experienced" and "specialized" pediatric allerg...[Read More] Understanding Allergies and Asthma in Young Children: A Parent's Guide