Understanding and Managing Constipation in Toddlers: A Parent's Guide
Childhood constipation issues? My child is 2 years and 3 months old and is still experiencing constipation issues. He only has a bowel movement every 2 to 3 days, and it often requires encouragement from adults. Each time, he cries a lot, and his stools are hard and pellet-like, ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It seems that you have tried most physical methods to relieve constipation (you might consider drinking higher osmolarity beverages, such as black date juice or honey water). If these physical methods are ineffective, you may seek assistance from a pediatrician for medication. Af...[Read More] Understanding and Managing Constipation in Toddlers: A Parent's Guide
Understanding Constipation in Infants: A Guide for Parents
Bowel issues Hello Doctor, my child is currently over six months old and is exclusively breastfed. Around five months old (on April 1), I started giving her Lactoferin LP33, currently two capsules a day (since both my husband and I have allergic tendencies). Initially, her bowel ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Tina, 1. The normal frequency of bowel movements can range from three times a day to once every three days; however, it is common for breastfed infants to have a bowel movement only once a week, and if the stool is soft, it is still considered normal. 2. An increase in pro...[Read More] Understanding Constipation in Infants: A Guide for Parents
Understanding Growth Plates: Why Hand X-rays Matter in Pediatrics
Height growth plate time Hello, doctor. May I ask if the growth plates in the hands are the last to heal? Why is it necessary to take X-rays of the hands to assess the growth plates? Also, when I had my X-ray taken, my hand was exerting force and fully extended; will this affect ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
As early as 1929, Professor Todd and others in the United States began research in this area. He had taken X-rays of children's left shoulder, left elbow, left hand, left hip, left knee, and left foot. After twenty-one years of effort by scientists, in 1950, Professors Greul...[Read More] Understanding Growth Plates: Why Hand X-rays Matter in Pediatrics
Understanding Your Child's Sudden Limp: Causes and Next Steps
The child suddenly starts to walk with a limp? Hello Doctor: My daughter is currently 5 years old. On the night of May 1st, I suddenly noticed that her right leg seemed to be a bit weak, and when she stands, her weight shifts slightly to the left. This has been happening for seve...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There can be many causes of joint problems in young children, such as tendon and ligament strains, joint inflammation, growing pains, or infections (like influenza). Among these, particular caution should be taken with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, an autoimmune disease that, if...[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Sudden Limp: Causes and Next Steps
Understanding Frequent Falls in Toddlers: Is Anemia the Cause?
Children often fall while walking? Hello. My child is currently 2 years and 2 months old. During a previous hospitalization, the doctor mentioned that he has thalassemia. However, since only my husband carries the gene, the child does not require treatment. Since he started walki...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: Mild thalassemia does not require treatment. After the age of one, when children learn to walk, they may stumble and fall while trying to walk quickly or run. This is part of their developmental process. It is important to be mindful of furniture edges, chair legs, and toy...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Falls in Toddlers: Is Anemia the Cause?
Understanding Language Delay in Toddlers: Signs and Solutions
Language delay My son just turned 3 years and 1 month old. He can say words like "dad," "mom," "grandpa," "grandma," "sister," and some everyday vocabulary such as "car," "dog," and "fish." However, h...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. By the age of 3, typical language development includes the correct use of pronouns such as "you," "I," and "he," as well as the ability to express oneself clearly using complete sentences. The causes of language development delays can generally be...[Read More] Understanding Language Delay in Toddlers: Signs and Solutions
Assessing Growth Rates in Infants: Understanding Normal Development
Assessment of Growth Rate Hello, doctor. I would like to know if my baby's growth record indicates slow growth. My twins were born at 37 weeks and 2 days in October 1998, with a birth weight of 1750 grams, a height of 48 cm, a head circumference of 30.5 cm, and a chest circu...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
As long as your baby's growth proportions are consistent with their height, weight, and head circumference recorded in the child health handbook, and do not fluctuate significantly, it is considered normal. The growth rate you have noted for your baby appears to be within th...[Read More] Assessing Growth Rates in Infants: Understanding Normal Development
Understanding Head-Banging in Toddlers: When to Worry and When to Wait
A one-year and two-month-old baby frequently hits their own head? Hello, doctor! I would like to ask about my child, who is almost one year and three months old. For the past three months, he has been hitting his head quite hard when he is either happy or unhappy. When I try to s...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
During the developmental process, infants often exhibit behaviors that may seem strange to us "adults" (such as ear pulling or head banging). However, these actions are actually "normal" phenomena in some babies' development, and most of them are just tem...[Read More] Understanding Head-Banging in Toddlers: When to Worry and When to Wait
Is Growth Hormone Safe? Understanding Its Use in Pediatrics
Is growth hormone safe? Hello, is the administration of growth hormone considered genetic modification? Is it a safe medication?
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
A person's genes are determined and fixed at birth, and with current medical technology, they cannot be "modified." Growth hormone is a type of hormone secreted by the body to stimulate bone growth and increase height; therefore, insufficient secretion can lead to ...[Read More] Is Growth Hormone Safe? Understanding Its Use in Pediatrics
Can Goat Milk Powder Help Reduce Allergies in Infants?
Does drinking goat milk powder help reduce allergies? Hello, doctor! I would like to ask, I heard that babies who drink goat milk powder may have a lower incidence of allergies and asthma. However, I found various opinions online regarding the pros and cons. My baby is one year a...
Dr. Ma Yiqun Reply:
Hello, Mom: According to numerous clinical studies, a significant portion of children with cow's milk allergy also exhibit allergic reactions to goat's milk, with results showing rates as high as 90%. Therefore, it is not recommended to substitute goat's milk for c...[Read More] Can Goat Milk Powder Help Reduce Allergies in Infants?
Understanding Enlarged Intestines in Children: Causes and Concerns
Enlarged intestines in children? Dear Doctor, Recently, my mother took my daughter to see a doctor for a cold. While diagnosing her cold, the doctor noticed that her abdomen was firm. After performing a bowel movement, the doctor informed my mother that she has an enlarged intes...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: If there is constipation for an extended period, it can lead to decreased gastrointestinal motility and digestive function. Please have a physician examine you to rule out structural issues (such as megacolon). Chronic constipation should be addressed through dietary chang...[Read More] Understanding Enlarged Intestines in Children: Causes and Concerns
Is Early Tooth Loss a Sign of Precocious Puberty in Children?
Teeth Hello Dr. Hsieh: My daughter is four years and eight months old and has replaced her lower front teeth and grown her upper molars. Now at five years and two months, she has replaced another tooth next to her lower front teeth, and her upper front teeth are also wiggling. Ad...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: Early loss of primary teeth can lead to the premature eruption of permanent tooth buds. It is important to note that the alignment of teeth is not absolutely related to precocious puberty. Some physicians may assess bone age as a reference. Generally, observation is recomm...[Read More] Is Early Tooth Loss a Sign of Precocious Puberty in Children?
Understanding Congenital Hyperthyroidism in Newborns: Causes and Prognosis
Neonatal Hyperthyroidism Hello Doctor: My nephew had a newborn screening, and his thyroid levels were elevated. The doctor said he needs to take medication until he is 6 years old. Is this what is referred to as congenital hyperthyroidism? My sister-in-law does not have any thyro...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Chen, Hello, I believe your baby may have congenital hypothyroidism, which is a condition characterized by a deficiency of thyroid hormones at birth. Approximately 1 in every 4,000 newborns has a severe defect in thyroid function, while many others may have mild or vary...[Read More] Understanding Congenital Hyperthyroidism in Newborns: Causes and Prognosis
Assessing Growth and Leg Issues in Young Children: What to Expect
Height and foot shape issues? My son is 3 years and 2 months old, but his height is only 92 cm and his weight is only 12 kg (he weighed 11 kg at 18 months). I want to take him for a growth assessment, but I'm unsure if this evaluation requires blood tests or any other proced...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
A 3-year and 2-month-old boy has a height of 92 cm and a weight of 12 kg, with percentiles ranging from 3% to 15%, indicating that he is relatively small for his age. It is advisable to consider a growth assessment. You should prepare past growth charts (from the health booklet),...[Read More] Assessing Growth and Leg Issues in Young Children: What to Expect
Is Chicken Soup Porridge Safe for My Baby's Development?
Baby eating chicken soup porridge? Dear Dr. Hsieh, Hello! My baby is almost one year old now. Since starting solid foods at six months, I have often been making chicken soup porridge with some vegetables, which has gradually become a staple food, and my baby is eating it quite w...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: Broiler chickens generally grow quickly and healthily, and their subcutaneous fat and skin can be consumed in moderation. Babies typically do not eat excessive amounts, so there is no need for too much concern; a balanced diet is recommended.[Read More] Is Chicken Soup Porridge Safe for My Baby's Development?
Concerns About Baby Not Urinating for Over Ten Hours
More than ten hours without urination? Hello Doctor: My baby is currently 4 months old and weighs 9 kg. I breastfeed once a day and supplement with formula milk, around 60-180 cc. I would like to ask you about my baby not urinating from last night at 10:30 PM after finishing brea...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear tsae: 1. Increased physical activity during the day may have caused excessive sweating? 2. Sweating excessively at night due to heat while sleeping? 3. Sleeping too deeply? 4. Insufficient fluid intake? Please continue to monitor these possibilities. If you continue to exper...[Read More] Concerns About Baby Not Urinating for Over Ten Hours
Understanding Pediatric Scalp Cysts: What Parents Need to Know
Cysts on the scalp Hello, doctor! My daughter developed a growth on her scalp that appears to be a cyst when she was almost three months old. Now that she is seven months old, the cyst has grown to about 1.6 centimeters. After consulting a dermatologist, the doctor mentioned that...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Juvenile xanthogranuloma typically manifests around six months after birth, with an unknown etiology. It is commonly found on the face, neck, and upper trunk, and may occasionally involve internal organs. Most cases resolve spontaneously by the age of 3 to 5 years; if they have n...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Scalp Cysts: What Parents Need to Know
Addressing Common Infant Behavior Issues: Feeding, Sleep, and Development
Baby's lifestyle habits issues? Dr. Hsiao: I have a question about my four-month-old baby. When I place him on his stomach, he is unable to lift his head to a 45-degree angle and ends up with his face flat on the ground. Is this a concern? Additionally, he loves sucking on h...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
When a baby discovers that crying leads to "feedback," they will naturally continue to do so, resulting in a negative cycle that is not ideal. It is advisable to observe from a distance first. If there are no signs of physical discomfort, you can continue to monitor the...[Read More] Addressing Common Infant Behavior Issues: Feeding, Sleep, and Development
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
Managing Eye Medications for Children with Favism: Key Considerations
Medication issues related to Favism (G6PD deficiency) and eye care? If a child has favism and is experiencing frequent tearing, they visited an ophthalmologist who diagnosed them with keratitis (or conjunctivitis) and prescribed eye drops (Oasis's anti-fungal) and ointment (...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
In patients with G6PD deficiency (favism), only sulfonamide antibiotics should be avoided, as aminoglycosides and chloramphenicol do not fall into this category and therefore have no impact on the condition. The dosage of GENTAMICIN eye drops should not cause side effects in infa...[Read More] Managing Eye Medications for Children with Favism: Key Considerations