Improving Appetite and Preventing Bone Loss in Pediatric Steroid Treatment
Decreased corticosteroid levels can lead to loss of appetite? The family’s daughter is nearly 3 years old and is undergoing treatment for ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura) with corticosteroids, which she has been taking for 7 months. Currently, due to a reduction in the corti...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is recommended to prepare a variety of meals or consult a nutritionist for alternative food options. Additionally, incorporating higher-calorie pediatric nutritional formulas can be beneficial. Avoid providing snacks with poor nutritional value. Furthermore, you may consult a ...[Read More] Improving Appetite and Preventing Bone Loss in Pediatric Steroid Treatment
Understanding Preauricular Sinus in Infants: What Parents Should Know
Preauricular sinus Hello Doctor, my son is now 3 weeks old and I noticed a small pit in front of his ear. When I asked the physician during a follow-up visit, they said it is a preauricular sinus and that it doesn't require any treatment. However, as a new parent, I tend to ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello! The prevalence of preauricular sinuses is as follows: Caucasians: 1%; African Americans: 5%; Asians: 10%. There is a familial tendency. The likelihood of hearing loss associated with preauricular sinuses is five times that of the general population. A hearing assessment is...[Read More] Understanding Preauricular Sinus in Infants: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Urine Culture Results in Infants: Is There a UTI?
Urine culture Hello, doctor. I apologize for asking you again. My baby boy is 5 months old and has mild hydronephrosis, with a left kidney measurement of 0.6 cm and a right kidney measurement of 0.3 cm. He had a fever of 38.4 degrees Celsius and was taken to see a pediatrician, w...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The fever resolved without the use of antibiotics, and the urine test showed no evidence of a urinary tract infection, so antibiotics are not necessary. 2. Urine ultimately passes through the mucous membranes and skin before reaching the urine bag, so it is still possible to c...[Read More] Understanding Urine Culture Results in Infants: Is There a UTI?
Understanding Growth Concerns: When to Seek Endocrine Evaluation for Your Child
Growth curve below the 3rd percentile? Hello, doctor. I would like to inquire about my child, who is over one year old and has been receiving vaccinations at the clinic. The doctor has measured his growth curve, which is consistently below the 3rd percentile. He is currently two ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
A two-year and ten-month-old boy with a height of 87 cm is below the 3rd percentile. Being below the 3rd percentile warrants a consultation and evaluation at a major hospital's pediatric endocrinology department. Whether he has dwarfism can be determined by a specialized ped...[Read More] Understanding Growth Concerns: When to Seek Endocrine Evaluation for Your Child
Understanding Large Head Circumference in Infants: When to Seek Further Evaluation
A five-month-old infant has an enlarged head circumference? My baby boy is five months and one day old, weighing 7.3 kg, with a height of 65.1 cm and a head circumference of 44.2 cm, which is approaching the upper limit of 44.8 cm (97th percentile). I expect that in a little over...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello! The tissues within an infant's head (brain, cerebrospinal fluid, bones, blood, tumors) can all contribute to an increase in head circumference. Ultrasound can often detect most abnormalities. Be attentive to symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, and changes in conscio...[Read More] Understanding Large Head Circumference in Infants: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Understanding Rapid Head Growth in Infants: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Infant head circumference Hello Doctor, my baby was born on May 2, 2022 (a boy). His height and weight are gradually increasing, but his head circumference is growing quite rapidly. On September 3 (4 months and 1 day old), his weight was 6.7 kg, height was 63 cm, and head circumf...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If an infant's head circumference is greater than the 97th percentile or shows a significantly rapid growth rate, a pediatrician will typically recommend a cranial ultrasound examination. If an experienced pediatrician conducts an evaluation and finds no obvious issues, the ...[Read More] Understanding Rapid Head Growth in Infants: When to Seek Further Evaluation
Understanding Precocious Puberty: Height and Facial Hair in Children
The issue of long beards and height? Hello, doctor. My son is currently in the 6th grade and is 11 years old, with a height of 151 cm. In the 5th grade, I noticed that he seemed to have developed some facial hair, but he does not have an Adam's apple, has not experienced voi...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Boys showing secondary sexual characteristics (such as the development of a prominent Adam's apple, pubic hair, axillary hair, enlargement of the scrotum, and penile growth) before the age of 9 may be experiencing precocious puberty. If a child grows less than 5 centimeters ...[Read More] Understanding Precocious Puberty: Height and Facial Hair in Children
Managing Exercise for Children with Patent Foramen Ovale: Key Considerations
Patent foramen ovale Hello, doctor. My child, who is over two years old, has been diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) that has not closed. Annual echocardiograms show mild mitral regurgitation and a PFO measuring approximately 0.2 cm. He rarely experiences chest tightness...
Dr. Xie Wanghu Reply:
The oval foramen measuring 0.2 cm typically closes by the age of 6 months. If it remains open, follow-up echocardiograms should be conducted every 6 months in a pediatric cardiology clinic. If the child is 6 years old and it has not closed, it is unlikely to close in the future, ...[Read More] Managing Exercise for Children with Patent Foramen Ovale: Key Considerations
Understanding Mitral Valve Regurgitation in Pediatric Patients: Treatment Options
Mitral valve regurgitation Hello, doctor. My child is currently 1 year and 8 months old. Due to a previous issue with a patent foramen ovale, we have been continuously monitoring with echocardiograms. During the recent follow-up yesterday, we were informed that there is mitral va...
Dr. Xie Wanghu Reply:
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is recommended to be monitored with an echocardiogram every six months. In some cases, MR may resolve by the age of 6 or 7. There are no specific pharmacological treatments for mitral regurgitation. MR is classified into four grades: grade 1 is mild, and...[Read More] Understanding Mitral Valve Regurgitation in Pediatric Patients: Treatment Options
Understanding Hydronephrosis in Infants: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management
Hydronephrosis with renal pelvis dilation During my wife's prenatal check-ups, the doctor did not mention any kidney issues with the fetus. However, after the baby was born and at one month old, we discovered hydronephrosis during an ultrasound at a clinic. At that time, the...
Dr. Zhong Ruixian Reply:
Hello, sir: Hydronephrosis in newborns is often physiological due to increased urine output during the fetal period, followed by a brief reduction in urine output after birth and the ureters not being fully straightened. It typically improves after 1-2 years. The size of your bab...[Read More] Understanding Hydronephrosis in Infants: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management
Understanding Hydronephrosis in Infants: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management
Hydronephrosis (renal pelvis dilation) My wife did not receive any indication of kidney issues with the fetus during prenatal check-ups, but after the baby was born and reached one month of age, a renal ultrasound at a clinic revealed hydronephrosis. At that time, the report indi...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: According to UpToDate literature: 1. RPD <10mm, MILD, may not require follow-up. 2. RPD 10-15mm, MODERATE: ultrasound should be repeated in 4-6 months. 3. RPD >15mm, immediate renal ultrasound should be arranged; clinicians will adjust based on clinical circumstances...[Read More] Understanding Hydronephrosis in Infants: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management
Understanding Infant Hydronephrosis: Diagnosis and Monitoring Insights
Infant hydronephrosis (renal pelvis dilation) Dear Dr. He, I apologize for the additional questions. I would like to provide further information regarding my son's abdominal ultrasound data from when he was one month old for your review. During the prenatal check-ups, the d...
Dr. He Zongxian Reply:
Hello, based on the current information, it appears to be mild. However, since the two ultrasound examinations were performed by different physicians at different institutions, there may be discrepancies. It is recommended that you continue to collaborate with your son's ped...[Read More] Understanding Infant Hydronephrosis: Diagnosis and Monitoring Insights
Understanding Hydronephrosis in Infants: Causes, Concerns, and Care
Infant hydronephrosis Your question: Hello Doctor, during my wife's prenatal check-ups, the doctor did not mention any kidney issues with the fetus, but after our baby was born and reached one month old, we discovered hydronephrosis (this was found during an ultrasound at a ...
Dr. He Zongxian Reply:
Hello, based on your description, there is no detailed information regarding the degree of hydronephrosis, so I can only estimate it to be mild from the limited data provided. Statistically, hydronephrosis is the most common abnormality found in newborn ultrasound examinations. M...[Read More] Understanding Hydronephrosis in Infants: Causes, Concerns, and Care
Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results in Children: Next Steps
Blood test report Hello, Doctor: Recently, my 10-year-old son had a nosebleed that was difficult to stop (he has had frequent nosebleeds before, and the pediatrician said it was due to thin blood vessels). We took him to a medical facility for treatment. Blood tests were performe...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The results of these two tests are not far from the normal values and are within an acceptable range. I believe there is no need for further testing.[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Blood Test Results in Children: Next Steps
Understanding ITP and Leukopenia in Toddlers: Treatment Insights
Child with thrombocytopenia due to immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and leukopenia? A two-year-old child has been diagnosed with ITP and has been undergoing treatment with romiplostim for over a month. I would like to ask if it is common for platelet counts to fluctuate duri...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The second-line targeted therapy for ITP, Eltrombopag, is effective in approximately 60% of patients initially, meaning that 40% of patients may not respond to treatment, which could result in fluctuating platelet counts. The hematological side effects of Eltrombopag include anem...[Read More] Understanding ITP and Leukopenia in Toddlers: Treatment Insights
Can Kids Safely Get Their Second COVID Vaccine After Oral Sores?
Oral ulcers after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine? Hello Dr. Pei, my son, who is over 5 years old, received his first dose of the pediatric BNT vaccine on May 28. A few days later, he developed five ulcers in his mouth, concentrated at the junction of the inside of his upper lip a...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, Ms. Hu! 1. There have indeed been recent reports of cases of oral ulcers occurring after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine; 2. This may be related to changes in the body's immune response, or it could be a mere correlation without a causal relationship; 3. Oral ulcers ar...[Read More] Can Kids Safely Get Their Second COVID Vaccine After Oral Sores?
Understanding ITP in Toddlers: Low Platelet Counts and Anti-dsDNA Connection
Childhood thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) Hello Dr. Hsiao: Regarding the previous question <a href="https://adoctor.tw/article/185662">#185662</a>, my family member's daughter is over two years old and has been in a state of extremely low platelet count ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Anti-dsDNA is indeed associated with certain autoimmune diseases, most commonly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The levels of anti-dsDNA often correlate clearly with disease activity. However, determining whether there is a connection between your child's thrombocytopeni...[Read More] Understanding ITP in Toddlers: Low Platelet Counts and Anti-dsDNA Connection
Understanding Involuntary Limb Movements in Your Five-Year-Old Child
Body twitching during sleep in a five-year-old child? In the past month, I have noticed that my five-year-old son has been experiencing involuntary movements primarily in his limbs while sleeping. Later, I asked him about it when he was awake, and he mentioned that his hands and ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is recommended to visit a major hospital's pediatric neurology department to check for any seizures or movement disorders (Tourette syndrome).[Read More] Understanding Involuntary Limb Movements in Your Five-Year-Old Child
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia in Children: Is Further Testing Needed?
Mediterranean anemia with an Hb level of 9.3? Hello doctor, my 4-year-old child recently had a cold that led to pneumonia and was hospitalized. On the day of admission, the blood test showed a hemoglobin (Hb) level of 8.8. After 4 days of hospitalization, the discharge test showe...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
HB 9.3 and MCV 54.4 indicate microcytic anemia. In Taiwan, the most common types are iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia (which is hereditary). If iron deficiency anemia has been ruled out, and there is a family history of thalassemia along with a hemoglobin electrophoresis te...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia in Children: Is Further Testing Needed?
Understanding Severe ITP in Toddlers: Treatment Challenges and Options
Pediatric Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) Dear Dr. Hsiao, I would like to inquire about my family member's daughter, who is over 2 years old. She was diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) after being found to have low platelet counts in mid-March. I...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Most cases of ITP show improvement with high-dose corticosteroids and immunoglobulin treatment. However, there are a few cases where these treatments are not effective, and in such instances, chemotherapy (such as the one you mentioned, possibly referring to rituximab) and more i...[Read More] Understanding Severe ITP in Toddlers: Treatment Challenges and Options