Understanding Pediatric Lymph Nodes: What Parents Should Know
Cervical lymphadenopathy issues? Hello Doctor, I noticed a protruding lymph node in the area above my son's left clavicle, near the sternocleidomastoid muscle, when he was around one month old. It's about 0.3-0.5 cm, movable, and soft. Now my son is over three years old...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Regarding neck lumps, I previously published an article in the media, and the content is as follows for your reference! When bathing a baby, parents may notice one or several hard lumps on the neck or back of the head. What should parents do? Most of these hard lumps are l...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Lymph Nodes: What Parents Should Know
Understanding Cough and Abdominal Pain in a 13-Year-Old
Coughing with pain in the upper left abdomen and lower left rib area? I am a 13-year-old who has recently experienced headaches, low-grade fever, cough, and intermittent pain in the upper left abdomen and left lower rib area. These symptoms have been present for about three weeks...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Fever, cough, and left lower chest pain are present; it is recommended to visit a major hospital to check for the possibility of pneumonia.[Read More] Understanding Cough and Abdominal Pain in a 13-Year-Old
Understanding Increased Bowel Movements in Infants: Causes and Concerns
Sudden increase in bowel movements? The baby is now over seven months old and is exclusively breastfed. The growth curve is normal (8.9 kg, height 70.9 cm). On August 27, the baby suddenly had five to six bowel movements, but they were only small amounts, so I decided to observe ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. It's okay; the complementary foods can be chopped into small pieces. However, you can also try mashing them a bit (it doesn't have to be pureed). 2. Based on the stool report, there may be a suspicion of bacterial gastroenteritis, such as Salmonella. Be aware of some...[Read More] Understanding Increased Bowel Movements in Infants: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Nighttime Coughing in Infants: When to Worry?
Coughing at night? Hello Dr. Hsiao, My baby is over 4 months old, and for the past couple of days, he has been coughing two to three times during the night, about three to four times, with a dry cough and no phlegm. Is this a sign of a cold? During the day, he coughs once or twi...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There are many causes for nighttime cough in infants, such as bronchitis due to a cold, acute bronchiolitis, chlamydia infection, post-nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux, and airway sensitivity, among others. Diagnosing airway allergies in a 4-month-old infant is quite challengi...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime Coughing in Infants: When to Worry?
Managing Sudden Fever in 10-Month-Olds: When to Use Suppositories?
A 10-month-old baby suddenly develops a fever in the middle of the night? Hello, doctor. I apologize for the interruption. I would like to ask about my baby who suddenly has a fever with no additional symptoms. The ear temperature fluctuates between 38.5 and 39.2 degrees Celsius,...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If an infant or young child has just started to have a fever but is still active, you can initially administer antipyretics and observe them. After the fever subsides, it is advisable to visit a pediatric clinic or office during the day. However, if the child remains lethargic af...[Read More] Managing Sudden Fever in 10-Month-Olds: When to Use Suppositories?
Understanding Japanese Encephalitis Risks for Infants: Key Questions Answered
Questions about Japanese Encephalitis? Dear Dr. Hsiao, On the evening of August 1st, my baby, who is under one year old, was bitten by a mosquito at home. There are also a large number of pigeons near our residence, and I am very concerned about the issue of Japanese encephaliti...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The main vectors for Japanese encephalitis are the Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex pipiens, and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, which prefer to breed in relatively clean water, primarily found in rice paddies in Taiwan. Although pigeons are hosts for the Japanese encephalitis v...[Read More] Understanding Japanese Encephalitis Risks for Infants: Key Questions Answered
Understanding Infant Adjustment: Tips for Transitioning to Daycare
Infants go to family daycare? Currently, the baby is three and a half months old. Recently, we have been staying at both maternal and paternal grandparents' homes for about a week each. Just the day before going to the nanny's house, we returned from the maternal grandp...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The primary principle is to find a qualified caregiver. It is advisable to personally visit the caregiver's home to assess whether the environment is suitable for the infant. You should also communicate directly with the caregiver about your baby's care preferences. As ...[Read More] Understanding Infant Adjustment: Tips for Transitioning to Daycare
Common Pediatric Concerns: Diarrhea and Persistent Fever in Young Children
Pediatric issues Hello, doctor. I have a question regarding my child who is almost five years old. A few days ago, he ate some baby corn (not the whole piece, just a small cut). However, he only chewed it a few times before swallowing it. Since then, his stools have been somewhat...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
I believe that not cutting the baby corn into small pieces should not cause diarrhea, and the combination with fever is most likely due to an infection leading to gastroenteritis. Fever is simply a sign of the child's immune system fighting off the bacteria and is not necess...[Read More] Common Pediatric Concerns: Diarrhea and Persistent Fever in Young Children
Is My 5-Year-Old's Heart Rate Too Fast? Understanding Pediatric Heart Health
Is a 5-year-old child's heart rate considered too fast? Hello Doctor: I accidentally measured my five-year-old daughter's heart rate and found that it was quite fast, even while she was quietly watching TV and not exercising. Her heart rate was around 114 to 120 beats p...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, the normal heart rate range for children is as follows: for infants under 1 year old, 80-140 beats per minute; for children aged 1 to 6 years, 80-120 beats per minute; and for children over 6 years old, 60-100 beats per minute. These rates should be mea...[Read More] Is My 5-Year-Old's Heart Rate Too Fast? Understanding Pediatric Heart Health
Understanding Post-Fever Fatigue and Appetite Loss in Children
After a child has a fever, they may experience decreased energy levels and poor appetite? Hello Doctor: My child is four years old and has the following symptoms: On the first day, he had a persistent cough. On the second day, he experienced fluctuating fever, averaging 38.3°C, w...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The activity level of a child when they are sick is an important indicator of the severity of the illness. Based on your description, the child's activity level is very poor, so I recommend taking them to a major hospital's pediatric emergency department for evaluation ...[Read More] Understanding Post-Fever Fatigue and Appetite Loss in Children
Understanding Prolonged Fever in Young Children with Enterovirus
About enterovirus fever lasting 10 days? Hello Dr. Hsiao: My daughter (2 years and 3 months old) started having a high fever of 38.6°C on the night of April 6. I planned to take her to the clinic the next day, but when she woke up in the morning, her fever was gone, and she was a...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The duration of fever caused by a viral infection can vary and depends on individual immune response, the type of virus, and the viral load. On average, it lasts about 3 to 5 days (this is an average; some may have shorter or longer durations). It is also possible to be infected ...[Read More] Understanding Prolonged Fever in Young Children with Enterovirus
Understanding Strawberry Tongue in Children: Causes and Concerns
Tongue issues? Starting from April 5th, three children began to develop fevers one after another. The youngest child had a fever on April 5th but it resolved quickly. The second child had a fever that ended on April 6th without any prolonged high fever. However, the eldest child ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, unless the temperature exceeds 42 degrees Celsius, it is unlikely to cause brain damage. Normal body temperature fluctuates throughout the day and can be influenced by age, activity level, and other factors, so measurements may vary each time. The average normal core body ...[Read More] Understanding Strawberry Tongue in Children: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Persistent Fever in Children: Causes and Solutions
The child's body temperature has been consistently around 38 degrees Celsius? Hello, doctor. My child has been running a fever and has been hospitalized for a long time. Blood tests, urine tests, and sputum tests have all come back normal. We have been measuring her temperat...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Brain damage is only likely to occur if the body temperature exceeds 42 degrees Celsius. Normal body temperature fluctuates throughout the day and can be influenced by age, activity level, and other factors, so measurements may vary. The average normal core body temperatur...[Read More] Understanding Persistent Fever in Children: Causes and Solutions
Using Expired Fever Suppositories for Your Child: Safety Concerns
Fever suppository consultation? My 8-year-old daughter has a fever of 39.5 degrees Celsius. I want to give her a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory suppository before bed, but the medication expired in November 2018. It has been stored in the refrigerator; can it still be used? I&#x...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Medications that have surpassed their expiration date, even if stored correctly, should not be used. While it is difficult to determine the specific harm they may cause, it is advisable to avoid using them.[Read More] Using Expired Fever Suppositories for Your Child: Safety Concerns
Understanding Underarm Rashes in Toddlers: Causes and Care
Axillary rash My brother's child, who is around two years old, suddenly developed many red rashes under the left armpit a few days ago. It doesn't seem to be very itchy since he hasn't been scratching it, and there is no fever. His activity level and appetite are n...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There are many causes of rashes, such as heat rash, prickly heat, or insect bites, among others. It is difficult to assess without seeing the rash in person, so it is advisable to take the child to a pediatrician for a proper evaluation and treatment.[Read More] Understanding Underarm Rashes in Toddlers: Causes and Care
Understanding Fever After Vaccination: A Parent's Guide
Vaccine issues? Hello, doctor. My baby is 6 months old and received the pentavalent vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine, and oral rotavirus vaccine last Friday. Two days later, on Monday night, he developed a fever. We took him to the clinic, and they said that since it was the third da...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The situation with your child is likely not due to a fever caused by the vaccine, as fever from the pentavalent vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine (which can be administered simultaneously) typically occurs within 24 hours post-vaccination and does not last longer than 48 hours. Mos...[Read More] Understanding Fever After Vaccination: A Parent's Guide
Understanding Hypothermia in Children: When to Seek Medical Attention
Hypothermia On December 16, the child bumped their head while getting off the bed. On December 19, a follow-up visit indicated that everything was fine, but the child was still observed to have shaking during sleep. On December 31, the child had a fever, and on January 1, they vi...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
During sleep at night, peripheral blood vessels constrict, which can sometimes lead to a decrease in peripheral temperature. While ear thermometers or axillary temperature measurements are convenient, they can often have significant inaccuracies. I believe that measuring the true...[Read More] Understanding Hypothermia in Children: When to Seek Medical Attention
Understanding Infant Hives: Causes and Care Tips for Parents
Facial rash? Hello Doctor, my son is currently three months old. On December 11, he developed numerous raised red rashes on his face, accompanied by slight coughing, sneezing, and nasal congestion. When we took him to the pediatrician, the doctor diagnosed it as hives caused by a...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Without seeing the rash in person, I cannot definitively say it is urticaria (hives). Even if it is urticaria, there are numerous potential causes, including the introduction of new complementary foods that may not be well-tolerated, contact with allergens, insect bites, viral in...[Read More] Understanding Infant Hives: Causes and Care Tips for Parents
Understanding Skin Rashes in Infants After Flu Vaccination
Skin red spots Hello, doctor: My child received the flu vaccine on October 18, and he is just over 11 months old. Around early November, approximately three weeks after the flu vaccination, he developed small red spots on his limbs that resembled mosquito bites. These spots appea...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The most common side effects of the influenza vaccine are soreness at the injection site and mild fever, typically occurring within 24 hours after the injection. However, these usually resolve within one to two days post-vaccination, and severe side effects are very rare. Therefo...[Read More] Understanding Skin Rashes in Infants After Flu Vaccination
Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: When Is It Safe to Return to School?
Enterovirus Resumption of Classes Hello, Director Hsiao. I would like to ask about my condition after being diagnosed with enterovirus. I have been resting at home for a week and have no fever, but I still have 7-8 sores in my throat that have not healed. Am I still contagious? D...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The general transmissibility of enteroviruses through saliva is strongest during the 7 to 10 days following the onset of illness. Although we typically recommend staying home from school for one week, based on your situation, I suggest extending this period to 10 days.[Read More] Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: When Is It Safe to Return to School?