Understanding Pediatric Vaccination: Addressing Combination Vaccine Concerns
Five-in-one and six-in-one issues? Hello Doctor, Question 1: My child has been receiving the hexavalent vaccine since birth at 1.5 months, 3 months, and 6 months. I found online that the hepatitis B vaccine is administered at 1 month and 6 months, each at 0.5 ml. However, the he...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Penguin Mama, Hello, Question 1: My child is currently 1.5 years old and needs to receive the hexavalent vaccine. However, there is a shortage of the hexavalent vaccine across Taiwan. The Department of Health has suggested that the pentavalent vaccine can be administered i...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Vaccination: Addressing Combination Vaccine Concerns
Understanding Café-au-Lait Spots in Children: What Parents Should Know
Café au lait spots My child is currently 10 years old. A few days ago, during a medical visit, the doctor pointed out that he has café-au-lait spots on his body. I always thought they were birthmarks that just increased in number as he grew. The doctor mentioned that birthmarks d...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: I have organized the information as attached, hoping it will be helpful to you. Wishing you health and happiness! Sincerely, Pei Ren-Sheng.[Read More] Understanding Café-au-Lait Spots in Children: What Parents Should Know
Concerns About Developmental Delays in Infants: What Parents Should Know
Is there a problem with developmental delay? Hello Doctor: My baby was born on December 12, 1996, and is now 10 months old. I am a bit concerned that she may be experiencing developmental delays. At 7 months, she started teething (which gave me some relief). At 8 months, she lear...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The development of gross motor skills typically includes rolling over at 6 months, bringing objects to the mouth, sitting steadily by 7 to 8 months, and crawling by 8 to 9 months (some may skip crawling and go directly to standing). Your child seems to be slightly delayed (but no...[Read More] Concerns About Developmental Delays in Infants: What Parents Should Know
Concerns About Kidney Stones in Children: X-Ray Risks and Calcium Levels
Kidney stones? Hello Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you two questions... (1) Due to the recent contaminated milk powder incident, I took my two children (one is 11 months old and the other is 4 years old) for urine tests to check for kidney stones. One of the procedures involved ta...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiaofen, Hello! Currently, all hospitals under the Department of Health have special outpatient clinics for kidney stones. Individuals experiencing cloudy urine, decreased urine output, or suspected consumption of melamine-containing foods can seek medical attention. The fi...[Read More] Concerns About Kidney Stones in Children: X-Ray Risks and Calcium Levels
Understanding Allergies in Toddlers: When to Seek Specialist Help
Allergic Reactions in Infants My daughter is only 2 years old and started seeing a dermatologist about 7 months ago due to difficulty sleeping at night caused by itching. The doctor couldn't clearly identify the allergy, questioning whether it was measles or atopic dermatiti...
Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello: If a child's allergies are difficult to control, it is certainly advisable to visit a major hospital for evaluation. However, sometimes it can be challenging to identify the allergens. If there are specific allergens identified, it is important to avoid exposure to th...[Read More] Understanding Allergies in Toddlers: When to Seek Specialist Help
Understanding Lip Blisters in Infants: Causes and Concerns
Blisters on the lips? My baby was born on September 13, and yesterday I noticed that his lips were white. Upon closer inspection, it seems like there are clusters of blisters. After observing for a day, I found that they become less noticeable when he doesn't drink milk, but...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The white appearance of an infant's lips may simply be a normal distribution of pigmentation, or it could be oral thrush (a fungal infection, though it is less common in newborns just a few days old). If the white spots appear after feeding and form blisters, they are more l...[Read More] Understanding Lip Blisters in Infants: Causes and Concerns
Is Free Chickenpox Vaccine Still Available for Kids in Taiwan?
Is there still a free varicella vaccine available? 1. Is there still a free varicella (chickenpox) vaccine available? If so, where can I inquire about it? (I live in Changhua.) 2. My baby turned one year old on September 28, but we are scheduled to administer the measles, mumps,...
Dr. Hong Shuokun Reply:
1. Yes, every pediatric department in hospitals has it. However, sometimes the free varicella vaccine provided by health clinics may be out of stock, but they have recently restocked. 2. It can be administered more than one month apart. 3. There is not much difference; I am r...[Read More] Is Free Chickenpox Vaccine Still Available for Kids in Taiwan?
Vaccination Schedule for Infants: Timing and Recommendations
Vaccination Hello, doctor. My baby is currently five months old. I want to space out the vaccinations, so I plan to administer the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) and Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccines at two and four months, and the PCV13 (pneumococcal conjug...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The oral rotavirus vaccine is not recommended for use due to insufficient safety data for infants older than eight months. It is still acceptable to use at seven months of age, but it is advised to complete the vaccination by six months of age, as infants are more likely to be ex...[Read More] Vaccination Schedule for Infants: Timing and Recommendations
Understanding Curved Penises in Young Boys: When to Worry
Son's penis Hello Doctor, my son is almost 3 years old. Since birth, his penis has been curved to the left. Now, when he urinates, his penis becomes longer and the middle to lower section bends to the left at about a 30-degree angle. I'm really worried if there is an is...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If a newborn's penis is curved ventrally, it is important to check for the presence of hypospadias. If hypospadias is not present, many males may have varying degrees of curvature (especially during erection). The direction and degree of curvature can differ from person to p...[Read More] Understanding Curved Penises in Young Boys: When to Worry
Is It Normal for a Newborn Boy's Genitals to Appear Darker?
Is it normal for a newborn's genitalia to appear dark? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I am a new mother. I recently gave birth to a baby boy, but I noticed that his genitalia, specifically the testicles, are much darker in color compared to other babies (as I observed at the postpartum ca...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Actually, the color of full-term male infants' testicles tends to be darker, which is also influenced by the individual's melanin cell quantity, maturity, and distribution, leading to individual differences. The variation in the skin color of the testicles is not signif...[Read More] Is It Normal for a Newborn Boy's Genitals to Appear Darker?
Understanding Infant Brain Ultrasound Results: What Parents Should Know
Inquiry about infant brain ultrasound issues? Hello! My daughter was born on August 16 last year. Initially, a cranial ultrasound was performed, which revealed a cyst. After that, she was checked every three months: at three months, it was still present; at six months, it was the...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Anxious Father: Hello, Brain cyst types: arachnoid, colloid, dermoid, epidermoid, and pineal cysts… 1. Arachnoid Cyst: More common in infants and adolescents. Observation is the primary approach; surgery is required if the cyst enlarges or causes symptoms. 2. Colloid Cyst: Often ...[Read More] Understanding Infant Brain Ultrasound Results: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Your Baby's Constant Hunger: Pediatric Insights
Never feeling full? Hello, my son was born on July 23, weighing only 2280g, but everything was normal, so he didn't need to be placed in an incubator. The pediatrician mentioned that since he is small, I should feed him as much as he wants. Initially, I only breastfed him, b...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Fish: Hello, the daily food intake for a child should be between 100 to 180 cc/kg/day. If your child weighs 4 kg, they should consume between 400 to 720 cc throughout the day. There is no need to feed on a strict schedule; it is fine for the baby to drink whenever they want,...[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Constant Hunger: Pediatric Insights
Understanding Roseola: Contagion Concerns for Young Children
Regarding the transmission issues of roseola? Dear Dr. Hsieh, Our younger sister is one year and five months old. She started experiencing a high fever of unknown origin about a week ago, reaching as high as 40.3 degrees Celsius, which required an emergency visit. A few days lat...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Once the rash appears and the fever subsides, there is no need for further isolation. Generally, the rash will resolve in about two days.[Read More] Understanding Roseola: Contagion Concerns for Young Children
Understanding Infant Spit-Up: Causes and Concerns for New Parents
Vomiting issues Hello Dr. Pei: My baby was born on May 21 of this year. Initially, he only occasionally had spitting up, but recently I have noticed that he has been spitting up continuously for two nights. He has been sleeping more than eating at night, so he only drinks once, b...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: 1. You mentioned that your baby has been sleeping more than eating at night. I suspect that it may be due to not burping properly, which can lead to the baby spitting up, coughing, and then vomiting. 2. A two-month-old male infant weighing 5800 grams is above average on th...[Read More] Understanding Infant Spit-Up: Causes and Concerns for New Parents
Understanding Your Child's Heavy Breathing: When to Seek Medical Help
The child is breathing in very forcefully? My son is 5 years old and has a history of allergic asthma. Since July 18, he has been breathing very hard intermittently, with his arms often moving around as if they are in a loop. He seems to feel itchy but does not scratch, and his a...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Based on your description, the inhalation is very forceful, and both arms often move around like in a circular motion, which resembles the manifestations of Tourette syndrome. Asthma typically involves difficulty during exhalation rather than inhalation, so it is not an as...[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Heavy Breathing: When to Seek Medical Help
Should You Give High Protein Powder to Your Picky Toddler?
High-protein powder My son is 2 years and 4 months old, and his height has not yet reached 90 cm. He tends to be picky with food and will spit out what he doesn't like, and he easily gets nervous, leading to poor gastrointestinal absorption. Someone suggested that we give hi...
Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello; for a 2-year and 4-month-old boy with a height of 90 cm, he is exactly at the 50th percentile, which is not necessarily bad. Height is significantly influenced by genetic factors. If a child's height is below the 3rd percentile, or if there is a drop in height percent...[Read More] Should You Give High Protein Powder to Your Picky Toddler?
Understanding Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Infants: Causes and Treatments
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction Hello Dr. Pei: I would like to ask you two questions.... (1) My child is currently over eight months old. At birth, there was always an excessive amount of discharge from the right eye, and the doctor said it was due to a blocked nasolacrimal duct. H...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiaofen, (1) Generally speaking, nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be classified into congenital and acquired types. Acquired obstruction typically occurs in adults, often with an unknown cause, and is most common in the elderly or postmenopausal women. There is speculation...[Read More] Understanding Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction in Infants: Causes and Treatments
Understanding Vaccination Guidelines for Infants: Key Considerations
Vaccination Issues Hello Doctor: Thank you for your professional response to my previous inquiry. I have another question that has been troubling me. Could you please help me with this? I would be very grateful. Regarding the previous question: Question 1: (What I found online,...
Dr. Hong Shuokun Reply:
Hello MIN: You are already well aware that the oral polio vaccine should be administered at least six months apart from immunoglobulin. For the third dose of vaccines, you can choose either 1. the DTaP-IPV-Hib + pneumococcal vaccine or 2. the Pentacel + pneumococcal vaccine. In f...[Read More] Understanding Vaccination Guidelines for Infants: Key Considerations
Understanding Persistent Diarrhea with Mucus and Blood in Infants
Persistent diarrhea with mucus and streaks of blood? The child is currently 8 months and 10 days old. Since May 19, he has been experiencing diarrhea with mucus and blood-streaked stools. At the clinic, the doctor diagnosed it as Salmonella infection. After two weeks of medicatio...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Dora, Hello! 1. If diarrhea lasts more than two weeks, it is classified as chronic diarrhea. Conditions such as enteritis, food allergies, genetic factors, and immune issues can all contribute to chronic diarrhea. Your baby is likely experiencing post-infectious diarrhea ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Diarrhea with Mucus and Blood in Infants
Understanding Recovery Time for Children with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Healing time Dear Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you three questions: (1) How many days should a child with enterovirus symptoms be isolated before they can have contact with others? (2) If a child has a common cold, how many days should they be isolated before they can have c...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiaofen, 1. Enteroviruses can be contagious 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms, with an incubation period of approximately 3 to 5 days. Enteroviruses can be isolated from the respiratory secretions of infected individuals for up to 1 month, and from feces for up to 2 ...[Read More] Understanding Recovery Time for Children with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease