Managing Frequent Colds in Infants: When to Seek Pediatric Care
Please ask your question? Hello, my child was born at 35 weeks and 3 days! Since two months old, he has been constantly catching colds! Each time it starts in the bronchial area and throat! He is now over six months old! He has been on medication continuously! What should I do? S...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dear Ms. Wei, Hello! During infancy and early childhood, the respiratory tract is significantly smaller than that of adults, and the cartilage is softer. Therefore, even a small amount of secretions can lead to audible breathing sounds, especially after feeding or when lying on ...[Read More] Managing Frequent Colds in Infants: When to Seek Pediatric Care
Understanding Sudden Behavioral Changes in Children: A Case Study
Sudden onset of abnormal behavior in children? My niece is currently 6 years old. Ten days ago, one night she suddenly could not sleep at all, and the next morning she was unable to walk due to weakness in her legs, accompanied by vomiting, but without any fever. Her consciousnes...
Dr. Gu Qingxian Reply:
Hello, this case should first check if the symptoms are caused by encephalitis, as the recent temperature is a time when viruses are rampant. Thank you![Read More] Understanding Sudden Behavioral Changes in Children: A Case Study
Understanding Mold Fungi in Pediatrics: Prevention and Treatment Guide
What is mold? What is Aspergillus and how to prevent and treat it?
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Betty, My name is Dr. Lin Huizhen from the Pediatrics Department of Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare. Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria that is a common pathogen for respiratory infections in humans. Infections are generally milder in children under the age ...[Read More] Understanding Mold Fungi in Pediatrics: Prevention and Treatment Guide
Understanding Nighttime Coughing in Young Children: Causes and Solutions
Nighttime cough Hello, Doctor! My daughter is two and a half years old. She is active during the day, but often coughs in her sleep at night or in the early morning, sometimes for as long as half an hour. Additionally, if she cries even a little, she will cough non-stop. Furtherm...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Nina, I am unsure how long your child has been experiencing nighttime cough and whether it is accompanied by a fever. Based on your description, it may be related to post-nasal drip or increased bronchial sensitivity. If the nighttime cough has recently started, it could be...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime Coughing in Young Children: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Fever in Children: Causes and Treatment Options
High fever My son is 5 years old. This afternoon, he got lost in a mall and was very scared. When we got home, he suddenly developed a fever (39.4°C) with no other symptoms. After seeing a doctor, they found no issues and only suspected influenza. I would like to ask: 1. Can a ch...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dear Christine, I personally believe that there is no direct relationship between being startled and having a fever; it is possible that the infection was acquired in a public place or through other means. If it is confirmed to be influenza, it is caused by the influenza virus. ...[Read More] Understanding Fever in Children: Causes and Treatment Options
Understanding Mild Bilateral Renal Pelvic Dilation in Infants
Bilateral mild hydronephrosis? Hello, my daughter is now seven months old and weighs 6.5 kg. At birth, she was diagnosed with "bilateral mild hydronephrosis." She has been urinating normally, and we have been following up with ultrasounds every three months, which have ...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dear Mommy of Niu, Hello. The cause of hydronephrosis is excessive pressure from urine in that area, leading to the enlargement of the renal pelvis, which can also be referred to as "water kidney." The impact of this condition depends on the underlying cause and the se...[Read More] Understanding Mild Bilateral Renal Pelvic Dilation in Infants
Understanding Persistent High Fever in Children: Is It Really the Flu?
Persistent high fever My son has been experiencing fluctuating fever since yesterday. I took him to the doctor, who said it was the flu, but he doesn't have any cold symptoms, only tonsillitis. His fever is around 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. Is my son really suffering from the...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dear Yuan Yuan, I hope this message finds you well. It seems that your son had a fever during the New Year period, which must have caused quite a bit of concern and fatigue for the whole family. I hope he has already recovered from the fever. In fact, a proper diagnosis of an i...[Read More] Understanding Persistent High Fever in Children: Is It Really the Flu?
Understanding Vomiting in Children: Causes and Connections to Home Environment
Causes of vomiting? My daughter is currently 3 years and 5 months old. 1. She rarely experiences symptoms such as colds, runny nose, fever, or cough on regular days. However, every 1 to 2 months, she has a severe vomiting episode (sometimes accompanied by fever) that requires a d...
Dr. Gu Qingxian Reply:
Hello! 1. Children with acute gastroenteritis, acute upper respiratory infections, other systemic diseases, acute urinary tract infections, or central nervous system disorders may experience severe vomiting. It is best to take them to a pediatrician for differential diagnosis. 2....[Read More] Understanding Vomiting in Children: Causes and Connections to Home Environment
Concerns About Baby's Bowel Movements and Ear Discharge at 48 Days
Excretion and ear problems in a 48-day-old infant? It is common for infants to have bowel movements shortly after feeding, especially after consuming milk. However, if your baby is experiencing excessive forceful gas expulsion that results in milk spilling from the nose and mouth...
Dr. Zhang Peixin Reply:
Hello: 1. Such a significant amount of spitting up seems abnormal; if it is accompanied by poor weight gain, please consult a physician for a thorough evaluation. 2. Please see an otolaryngologist to confirm whether it is otitis media with effusion or if bath water or milk is tra...[Read More] Concerns About Baby's Bowel Movements and Ear Discharge at 48 Days
Understanding Ureteral Reflux in Children: Treatment and Monitoring Options
Ureteral reflux My son underwent surgery for ureteral reflux in early April 2004 (grade IV on the left side, while the right side was normal at that time). During a follow-up examination in August (special imaging), the left side was normal, but it was found that the right side h...
Dr. Shi Zhongxian Reply:
This question is more specialized; please consult a urologist.[Read More] Understanding Ureteral Reflux in Children: Treatment and Monitoring Options
Understanding Vomiting Issues in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Child vomiting issues? Hello Doctor: My child was born prematurely, weighing only 1800 grams, and is now nearly two years old with good developmental progress, approximately at the 50th percentile on the growth chart. However, since starting solid foods, he often experiences vomi...
Dr. Zhang Guozhen Reply:
Dear Caring Father, Based on the information you provided, we can conclude the following: 1. Although your child was born one month premature, their growth assessment at nearly two years of age places them at the 50th percentile on the growth curve. This indicates a good catch-...[Read More] Understanding Vomiting Issues in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Managing Your Baby's Runny Nose: When to Seek Medical Advice
Runny nose Hello, my child is 11 months old. He has been experiencing a runny nose for about a week now. We are very concerned and want to take him to see a doctor, but my mother-in-law believes that this is common in children and that frequent medication can lead to a weakened i...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Ms. May, It sounds like your little one may have a mild cold. Generally, after six months of age, infants start to become more susceptible to cold symptoms as maternal antibodies decrease. Whether to medicate your child for a runny nose should depend on the severity of the ...[Read More] Managing Your Baby's Runny Nose: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Nighttime Fever in Toddlers: Causes and When to Worry
Nighttime fever Hello, Doctor Gu: My niece is 2 years old and has been experiencing frequent nighttime fevers over the past few months, reaching around 39 degrees Celsius. The doctor suspected a urinary tract infection, but after medication and tests, it was determined that this ...
Dr. Gu Qingxian Reply:
Hello, a two-year-old child has a fever reaching 39 degrees Celsius at night, along with headaches. This has been ongoing for several months, and since it is winter now, it is not likely to be a simple central nervous system temperature dysregulation. It would be best to admit th...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime Fever in Toddlers: Causes and When to Worry
Understanding Labial Adhesions in Infants: Concerns and Care
Labial adhesion in a nine-month-old baby? Hello, doctor. My daughter is currently nine months old. Recently, she had a fever and was taken to the hospital for examination, where we unexpectedly discovered that her labia were fused. The doctor manually separated the labia and pres...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
Dr. Tsai Cheng-Hsien from Tainan Municipal Hospital's Pediatrics Department responds: Dear concerned mother, infant labial adhesion, strictly speaking, refers to "labial fusion," which commonly occurs in girls under three years old and is often discovered during ro...[Read More] Understanding Labial Adhesions in Infants: Concerns and Care
Managing Colds in Premature Infants: A Guide for Concerned Parents
Infant with a cold I would like to ask: My child was born prematurely at 35 weeks and 3 days! They did not require oxygen! Now they are about 50 days old! Due to too many visitors at home, they have caught a cold! They have throat inflammation! Their temperature ranges between 37...
Dr. Gu Qingxian Reply:
Hello! For a premature infant born at 50 days, a body temperature exceeding 37.5°C is considered a fever due to their low immunity. If there is a decrease in appetite, reduced activity level, or symptoms of a cold, please make sure to seek medical attention from a physician. Than...[Read More] Managing Colds in Premature Infants: A Guide for Concerned Parents
Understanding Persistent High Fever in Toddlers: When to Seek Help
Fever in young children? Hello Doctor: My daughter is 2 years and 4 months old. Two weeks ago, she had a cold and we took her to see a pediatrician who prescribed medication. However, she has not fully recovered. On the evening of the 8th, she developed a high fever of 39.5 degre...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dr. Lin Wen-Hsien, the Director of Pediatrics at Tainan Hospital under the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, responded to DEAR Ami: It must be very concerning for you that your child has had a high fever for several days. During early childhood, due to insufficient immune res...[Read More] Understanding Persistent High Fever in Toddlers: When to Seek Help
Concerns for My 5-Week-Old Baby: Vaccination and Feeding Issues
Please ask your question? My baby is currently five weeks old! He was born at thirty-five weeks and three days without the use of oxygen, as he was born in a clinic. There was no specific ophthalmological examination conducted. The pediatrician at the postpartum care center menti...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dr. Lin Wen-Hsien, the head of the Pediatrics Department at Tainan Hospital under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, responded to DEAR Yinyin's mother: The ophthalmic examination suggested by the physician at the postpartum care center likely refers to checking for retinopa...[Read More] Concerns for My 5-Week-Old Baby: Vaccination and Feeding Issues
Essential Guide to Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Varicella vaccine If I do not have varicella antibodies, what should I pay attention to before getting vaccinated? What symptoms can I expect after the injection? How much does a self-paid dose cost? What are the vaccination hours at the hospital? Could you please help me with th...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Lulu, The contraindications for the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are as follows: 1. Acute severe illness, such as having a high fever. 2. History of anaphylactic shock or severe allergic reactions to other vaccines or vaccine components. 3. Immunocompromised conditions, ...[Read More] Essential Guide to Chickenpox Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Is the Quality of Private Five-in-One Vaccines Consistent Across Hospitals?
Pentavalent vaccine Is the quality of the self-paid pentavalent vaccine the same in every hospital? I would like to know how much your hospital charges for the self-paid pentavalent vaccine. Additionally, how can I tell if my baby has a cold? My daughter is currently 3 months and...
Dr. Lin Wenxian Reply:
Dear Judy, The pentavalent vaccine currently available in Taiwan is from GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), so all hospitals should be using vaccines imported from this manufacturer. Our hospital charges NT$1,725 for the pentavalent vaccine. Currently, there is a 10% discount on self-paid v...[Read More] Is the Quality of Private Five-in-One Vaccines Consistent Across Hospitals?
Concerns About Overvaccination: Chickenpox Vaccine in Children
I received an extra dose of the varicella vaccine? Hello. My son received his first dose of the varicella vaccine when he turned one year old. However, a few months later, when we visited another clinic, the hospital recommended that he receive the varicella vaccine again, not kn...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dr. Lin Huizhen from the Pediatrics Department of Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, responds to Ms. Edna: The varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. It is highly safe and has very few side effects, which are generally mild, such as fever or rash. It can pr...[Read More] Concerns About Overvaccination: Chickenpox Vaccine in Children