Understanding Herpetic Pharyngitis in Children: Causes and Treatments
Herpetic pharyngitis? Hello, Dr. Lin! My child had a fever 5 days ago with an ear temperature ranging from 39.2 to 38.2 degrees Celsius (we visited the doctor that day, and the fever subsided with medication, but returned once the medication wore off, although it could be control...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Dr. Lin Huizhen, Director of Pediatrics at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan: Hello, dear mother of the child: 1. Herpangina is one of the manifestations of enterovirus infection. There are over 60 types of enteroviruses, and when a child is infected wi...[Read More] Understanding Herpetic Pharyngitis in Children: Causes and Treatments
Is It a Cold or Gastroenteritis? Understanding Your Child's Symptoms
Is it a cold or gastroenteritis? Hello: The child is 5 years old and has been experiencing frequent vomiting for the past two days, with one normal bowel movement. Occasionally, there are complaints of abdominal pain, but there is no fever, and the child’s activity level is accep...
Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello: Acute gastroenteritis primarily presents with vomiting and diarrhea, but it can also be accompanied by mild respiratory symptoms. Conversely, a cold, such as pharyngitis, may also present with vomiting and abdominal pain. It is uncertain which condition your child is exper...[Read More] Is It a Cold or Gastroenteritis? Understanding Your Child's Symptoms
Managing Nasal Congestion and Post-Nasal Drip in Infants
Nasal congestion and post-nasal drip? Hello Dr. Tsai: My baby girl is currently six months old, measuring about 70 cm in height and weighing 7.5 kg. She consumes 150 cc every four hours and has sweet potato puree or porridge 1 to 2 times a day. For the past month, she has been ex...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
Dear Mom, I apologize for the delay in responding due to my job transfer. May I ask if you or your husband have any allergic tendencies? When an infant under one year old presents with symptoms such as coughing and runny nose, the first consideration should be upper respiratory ...[Read More] Managing Nasal Congestion and Post-Nasal Drip in Infants
Teething Troubles: Is Your Baby's Vomiting Normal?
Teething causes constant vomiting? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask a question. My baby is currently 6 months and 25 days old. I noticed that my baby started teething around 6 months and 10 days (the teeth have not erupted yet). Since then, my baby has been continuously spittin...
Dr. Zhang Guozhen Reply:
Dear Sir/Madam, This is a response from Dr. Kuo-Chen Chang of the Pediatric Department at the Hsinchu County Hospital. 1. The term "shallow stomach" refers to the common phenomenon of gastroesophageal reflux in infants and young children. If it is not severe (i.e., no...[Read More] Teething Troubles: Is Your Baby's Vomiting Normal?
Understanding Rash on Child's Hand: Causes and Concerns
The child has developed multiple small rashes on their hands? Hello Doctor: My child is 5 years old, and I would like to ask about some recent observations. I noticed that my child has developed many small bumps on the back of their hands, resembling goosebumps, but they are not ...
Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello: There are several common diseases associated with hand symptoms: 1. Dyshidrotic eczema 2. Eczema 3. Hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by enterovirus. Please consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment. Sincerely, Dr. Chang Pei-Hsin, Pediatrics.[Read More] Understanding Rash on Child's Hand: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Leg Pain in Active Children: Causes and Remedies
Leg pain in children? Hello Doctor: My child is ten years old and is very active and energetic. Sometimes at night, he experiences soreness in both legs or just one leg, primarily in the thigh or calf muscles. When he has this soreness, I apply heat or use a cooling muscle ointme...
Dr. Chen Rongtai Reply:
The letter mentions joint pain and growing pains. According to statistics from a certain hospital, 90% of growing pains occur in the afternoon and evening, predominantly affecting the lower limbs bilaterally, particularly favoring the anterior thigh muscles, knees, and posterior ...[Read More] Understanding Leg Pain in Active Children: Causes and Remedies
Understanding Your Baby's Yellow Urine: What Parents Should Know
Regarding the color of infant urine? Hello, my baby is currently seven and a half months old. Why is her urine yellow? Is there any problem? Shouldn't a baby's urine be clear?
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Yoyo, The color of urine is related to the amount of water intake in the body. The kidneys regulate urine concentration; when the body has relatively less water, the urine becomes more concentrated and appears darker yellow. Conversely, when the body has more water, the uri...[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Yellow Urine: What Parents Should Know
Should You Cover Your Baby with a Blanket During Fever?
Should children with a fever be covered with a blanket? (1) For a five-month-old baby, if the room temperature is 30 degrees Celsius and the baby is sweating to the point of wetting their clothes, it is generally advisable to avoid covering them with a blanket while they sleep. I...
Dr. Zhang Guozhen Reply:
Dr. Chang Kuo-Chen, Chief of Pediatrics at Hualien Tzu-Chiang Hospital, respectfully responds as follows: Infants differ from adults in that their (body surface area relative to body weight) is larger, making their body temperature particularly susceptible to changes in environme...[Read More] Should You Cover Your Baby with a Blanket During Fever?
Understanding Greenish-Black Stool in Infants: When to Worry?
Black or dark green stools? Hello Dr. Lin, My daughter is now 3 months old (she was exclusively breastfed for the first 2 months, and after turning 2 months, we gradually started using formula). During the third month, she often has dark greenish-black stools, sometimes mixed w...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Betty, Dr. Lin Huizhen, Director of the Pediatrics Department at Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, respectfully responds: Generally, if there are no other symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, or abdominal distension, most cases are considered normal. This may be...[Read More] Understanding Greenish-Black Stool in Infants: When to Worry?
Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia in Children: What Parents Should Know
Children with aspiration pneumonia may exhibit the following symptoms: 1. Coughing 2. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 3. Wheezing 4. Fever 5. Chest pain 6. Rapid breathing 7. Fatigue or lethargy 8. Cyanosis (bluish Hello Doctor: A few days ago, my child vomited at t...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Dr. Lin Huizhen, Director of Pediatrics at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan: 1. May I ask how old your child is? Generally, aspiration due to vomiting occurs more frequently in individuals who are bedridden for extended periods or have limited mobility....[Read More] Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia in Children: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Unexplained Bruises in Children: Causes and Concerns
Skin My niece has developed multiple bruises on her skin without any apparent injury, and they haven't faded after several days. What could be the cause?
Dr. Chen Rongtai Reply:
The letter mentions that the niece did not sustain any impact but has developed numerous bruises on her skin, which have not faded for several days. It is unclear whether the patient has other symptoms, such as fever, recent cold, common areas for bruising, abdominal pain, or hem...[Read More] Understanding Unexplained Bruises in Children: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Persistent Fever in Toddlers: Causes and Concerns
Fever in children? Hello, doctor! My child is currently 14 months old. She started having diarrhea on June 18 (seven times a day). We saw a doctor that day, who diagnosed her with gastroenteritis. That night, she developed a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius. On June 19, we switch...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Iris Yu, Dr. Lin Huizhen, Chief of Pediatrics at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, would like to respond to you: There are numerous reasons for a child's fever, including gastroenteritis, pharyngitis, or infections in other areas. To determine the ...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Fever in Toddlers: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Joint Pain in Children: Is It Growing Pains or Something More?
Joint pain My daughter is 5 years old and often experiences soreness and weakness in her hand and foot joints, as well as her toes. There is no swelling or fever associated with this. A doctor previously mentioned it could be growing pains. I also experienced similar pain as a ch...
Dr. Chen Rongtai Reply:
The letter mentions joint pain and growing pains. According to statistics from a certain hospital, 90% of growing pains occur in the afternoon and evening, primarily affecting the lower limbs bilaterally, particularly favoring the anterior thigh muscles, knees, and posterior calf...[Read More] Understanding Joint Pain in Children: Is It Growing Pains or Something More?
Understanding Your Child's Black Stool: When to Worry
Stool color Hello Doctor: My daughter, who is almost 2 years old, had a fever for a week and was hospitalized for 4 days. During this time, her stools have been consistently dark and formed, about 3 times a day. This has been ongoing until now. Am I being overly concerned, or cou...
Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello: If there is black stool, please visit the pediatric gastroenterology clinic to check for occult blood in the stool. If gastrointestinal bleeding is ruled out, it will be more reassuring. This message is from Dr. Pei Ren-Sheng, Pediatrics.[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Black Stool: When to Worry
Concerns About Pediatric Injuries and Ongoing Health Issues
Please ask about the issue of bruising from a fall? Hello Dr. Tsai, I would like to ask again! It has been seven days since my baby fell off the X-ray table, and there are no other obvious symptoms. Should I take him back for an examination? Do we need to observe him for anothe...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
Dear Mother of In-In, I am Dr. Tsai Cheng-Hsien, attending physician in the Pediatrics Department at Tainan Municipal Hospital. It is wonderful to hear that your baby has been healthy and without any issues for the past week! Please make sure to bring your baby back for regular ...[Read More] Concerns About Pediatric Injuries and Ongoing Health Issues
Understanding Roseola in Infants: Symptoms, Duration, and Care Tips
Roseola infantum Hello Doctor: My child is currently 7 and a half months old. Last week, he had a fever and we visited a nearby clinic. The doctor informed us that it was a mild fever and throat inflammation, which would come and go. Two days later, we went for another consultati...
Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello: Infant roseola is caused by a viral infection, and the rash does not require medication; it will resolve on its own within 3 to 5 days. Sincerely, Dr. Zhang Pei-Hsin, Pediatrics.[Read More] Understanding Roseola in Infants: Symptoms, Duration, and Care Tips
Understanding the Link Between Tonsillitis and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Tonsillitis progressing to enterovirus infection? Hello Dr. Lin: Thank you for your previous answers and suggestions! My 1-year-old baby had tonsillitis on May 30, and after seeing a doctor on June 1, it was confirmed to be a viral infection due to persistent high fever for four ...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Mother De De, This is Dr. Lin Hui-Chen from the Pediatric Department of Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare. There is no specific medication for enterovirus infections. Treatment focuses on two aspects: the general course of the illness, which typically lasts ...[Read More] Understanding the Link Between Tonsillitis and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Understanding Tonsillitis in Children: Symptoms and Vaccine Reactions
Tonsillitis Hello Doctor: My daughter just turned 1 year old. I took her to receive the varicella vaccine on May 28, and since May 30, she has been experiencing recurrent high fevers ranging from 39 to 40 degrees Celsius until today, May 31. Can the varicella vaccine cause such a...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Dr. Lin Huizhen, Director of the Pediatrics Department at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health: Generally, the varicella vaccine rarely causes a high fever, and the reactions from the varicella vaccine typically occur 2-3 weeks after administration. If the doctor mentioned...[Read More] Understanding Tonsillitis in Children: Symptoms and Vaccine Reactions
Urgent Pediatric Concerns: Addressing Baby's Development and Health Issues
Urgent matter: Baby's issue? Dr. Tsai: Hello, I have many questions regarding my baby sister. 1. My baby was born full-term but weighed only 2200 grams, and it was found that she has an atrial septal defect. Does this mean she will definitely develop more slowly than a nor...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
An anxious mother: Sorry for the late reply due to medical obligations! 1. A full-term baby weighing 2200g is considered underweight. This is generally classified as symmetric underweight (where head circumference and length are also smaller) or asymmetric underweight (where he...[Read More] Urgent Pediatric Concerns: Addressing Baby's Development and Health Issues
Concerns About Duplicate Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination in Children
Japanese encephalitis recurrence The child was born on May 14, 1992. On March 30, 1994, the second dose of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine was administered at a health center. On May 14, 1994, the child was taken to a pediatric clinic to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, but th...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Kanlin, Dr. Lin Huizhen, the Chief of Pediatrics at Tainan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, would like to inform you that receiving an additional dose of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine generally does not have significant adverse effects. Due to the develop...[Read More] Concerns About Duplicate Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination in Children