Gastrointestinal, Pediatrics FAQ - Page 5

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Understanding Blood in Stool of Infants Under Two Months Old

Blood in the stool of an infant under two months old? Hello, doctor. I noticed that my baby had some blood streaks in the stool starting from January 1st. Then on the night of January 4th, there was a larger amount of blood streaks in the stool. I quickly took my baby to Changhua...


Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
Is the blood in the stool bright red or dark red? If it is dark red, it indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding; if it is bright red, it suggests lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Milk allergy or bacterial gastroenteritis are common causes of blood in the stool in this age group...

[Read More] Understanding Blood in Stool of Infants Under Two Months Old


Understanding Feeding Issues in One-Month-Old Breastfed Infants

Feeding issues in one-month-old infants? My one-month-old newborn is breastfeeding. Initially, for about the first 20 days, he was consuming 400-450 ml per day. However, recently he has been breastfeeding for only 5-10 minutes, six to seven times a day. He takes a bottle five tim...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Having bowel movements two to three times a day or once every two to three days is considered acceptable, so it is still reasonable to observe if there has been no bowel movement for 24 hours. Newborns have a small stomach capacity, which makes it common to experience variations ...

[Read More] Understanding Feeding Issues in One-Month-Old Breastfed Infants


Is It Safe to Feed Formula Milk Left at Room Temperature?

Formula milk should be consumed between meals? Hello, Doctor: I apologize for disturbing your rest time. My baby is seven and a half months old. This morning, around 1 AM, I prepared formula milk, but my baby didn't drink it. I left it at room temperature (21 degrees Celsius...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Formula milk that has exceeded its storage time is primarily a concern for bacterial growth. Possible symptoms include gastrointestinal discomfort such as vomiting and diarrhea, or skin rashes. It is generally advised to monitor for three days, and if any of the aforementioned sy...

[Read More] Is It Safe to Feed Formula Milk Left at Room Temperature?


Understanding Infant Bowel Issues: Why Is My Baby Straining to Poop?

Bowel issues Hello Dr. Hsiao, my baby just turned one month old, and I've noticed that he often seems to be straining as if he wants to have a bowel movement, but it can take several hours for him to actually go, and when he does, it's soft stool. Although he doesn'...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
A one-month-old infant has weak bowel movements, and they are still learning how to coordinate the anal and rectal muscles during defecation. Therefore, it may appear that they are straining and having difficulty. As long as the stool is soft and not hard, there is no need for co...

[Read More] Understanding Infant Bowel Issues: Why Is My Baby Straining to Poop?


Understanding Blood in Stool: When to Worry for Your Child

Blood in stool? Hello doctor, my child is almost five years old. For some time now, I have occasionally noticed a small amount of blood on the wet wipes after he uses the bathroom. My child has bowel movements almost every day and eats vegetables and fruits regularly. I would lik...


Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: The causes of blood in a child's stool include constipation with anal fissures, hemorrhagic enteritis, intussusception, coagulopathy, lower gastrointestinal polyps or tumors, diverticula, or foreign bodies. The primary concern is to rule out constipation; other causes...

[Read More] Understanding Blood in Stool: When to Worry for Your Child


Understanding Fever, Diarrhea, and Cold Symptoms in Young Children

Cold, fever, and diarrhea? Hello, doctor. A couple of days ago, I inquired about my child's fever. My daughter is one and a half years old. She had a high fever from Monday to Thursday last week. There were no cold symptoms, but her stools were looser. She had a fever until ...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The cold virus can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Pay attention to whether there is mucus or blood in the diarrhea, as well as any foul odor (if present, it may indicate a serious bacterial gastroenteritis). In addition to diluted milk, avoid vegetables, fruits, sweets, and gre...

[Read More] Understanding Fever, Diarrhea, and Cold Symptoms in Young Children


Should You Change Your Baby's Formula Due to Frequent Bowel Movements?

If a newborn is having too many bowel movements, should we switch to a different formula or continue with the current one? The child has been drinking formula milk (non-hydrolyzed) since birth and is currently 18 days old, staying at a postpartum care center. Initially, I used Ab...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Rashes on a newborn's face are usually not related to formula milk. An increase in bowel movements may or may not be related to formula milk; it can only be confirmed if the symptoms improve when the formula is discontinued and reappear when it is reintroduced. If switching ...

[Read More] Should You Change Your Baby's Formula Due to Frequent Bowel Movements?


Understanding Dark Stool in Toddlers: When to Worry

Black stool in infants? Hello Dr. Hsiao: My daughter is 3 years and 2 months old. She stopped drinking milk at two and a half years old and has been eating the same food as adults. In the past two months, I have noticed that her stool color is very dark, almost black, and sometim...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If the stool color is as dark as hair, it is important to be cautious of potential upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It is recommended to go to a major hospital for a simple fecal occult blood test to determine the situation.

[Read More] Understanding Dark Stool in Toddlers: When to Worry


Concerns About Babies Swallowing Tape: What Parents Should Know

Baby swallowed tape? Hello, doctor. My baby is currently one year and two months old. Yesterday, he may have accidentally swallowed a piece of clear tape. Will the tape pass out in his stool? Could it stick to his esophagus, stomach, or intestines? Today, my baby has been crying ...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The adhesive tape should not stick to the mucous membranes of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract filled with mucus, and it will be expelled with the stool. If the baby is crying and needs to be held, it should be fine as long as holding them stops the crying (if there is a ...

[Read More] Concerns About Babies Swallowing Tape: What Parents Should Know


Preventing Eosinophilic Colitis in Newborns: Key Insights for Parents

Neonatal eosinophilic enteritis? The infant was exclusively breastfed after birth and received vaccinations for BCG, as well as the first and second doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. On day 38, blood in the stool was discovered at home, and she was taken to the emergency departme...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Eosinophilic enterocolitis in neonates is quite rare, and the exact pathogenic mechanism of eosinophilic gastroenteritis remains unclear. It may be triggered by exposure to allergens in food (such as a very small number of infants with cow's milk protein allergy), leading to...

[Read More] Preventing Eosinophilic Colitis in Newborns: Key Insights for Parents


Can Group B Streptococcus Be Transmitted to Infants Through Sneezing?

Transmission routes of Group B Streptococcus? Hello, doctor. I am a mother who carries Group B Streptococcus (GBS). While holding my baby, I accidentally sneezed, and at that moment, my baby had their mouth open. Can Group B Streptococcus be transmitted through saliva? Is there a...


Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
1. Group B Streptococcus is primarily located in the gastrointestinal tract and the birth canal, and it is rarely found in the oral cavity, making transmission through saliva unlikely. 2. Monitor the infant's temperature, breathing, and activity level; if there are any abnor...

[Read More] Can Group B Streptococcus Be Transmitted to Infants Through Sneezing?


Understanding Toddler Bowel Habits: Is Your Child's Routine Normal?

Toddler bowel issues? Hello Doctor: My son is one year and seven months old. He often has a bowel movement about half an hour after eating, but it is not diarrhea, so he has a bowel movement about 2 to 3 times a day. Is this common for children at this stage? Is his gastrointesti...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The gastrocolic reflex in infants is relatively sensitive, which is normal. It is acceptable for infants to have bowel movements ranging from two to three times a day to once every two to three days, as long as the stool is not hard or watery.

[Read More] Understanding Toddler Bowel Habits: Is Your Child's Routine Normal?


Can I Switch My Baby's Formula Early Due to Constipation?

Can children switch to a different formula early if they are constipated? Hello, doctor: I would like to ask, my child is currently 11 months and 15 days old. He is experiencing constipation and is passing small, pellet-like stools. He is currently drinking Snow Brand formula for...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
I think it should be fine. Of course, during the three days after the switch, pay attention to any gastrointestinal discomfort (usually diarrhea or skin rashes). If there are no significant adverse reactions, it should be okay. For infant constipation, increasing the intake of fi...

[Read More] Can I Switch My Baby's Formula Early Due to Constipation?


Safe Use of PONSTAN in Infants Under 6 Months and Children Under 3

Medication Administration Methods PONSTAN (mefenamic acid) is generally not recommended for use in infants under 6 months of age. For children aged 6 months to 3 years, the dosage should be carefully determined by a healthcare professional based on the child's weight and spe...


Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Nicole, Mefenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief, anti-inflammatory purposes, and fever reduction. The therapeutic dosage is 4 to 10 mg/kg/dose, administered every 6 to 8 hours. Literature suggests limited use in infants under 6 ...

[Read More] Safe Use of PONSTAN in Infants Under 6 Months and Children Under 3


Understanding Abdominal Pain in Preschoolers: Causes and Dietary Tips

Childhood colic? Dr. Chang: May I ask, since my younger sister is in kindergarten and she is around three to four years old, will she still experience colicky abdominal pain? Sometimes she still has a bit of colicky pain at night. Is this related to her diet? I occasionally give ...


Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
Children of this age are less likely to experience nighttime abdominal colic. Whether the nighttime crying is related to gastrointestinal issues remains to be confirmed. Abdominal pain in this age group is often associated with bowel irregularities; therefore, if there are issues...

[Read More] Understanding Abdominal Pain in Preschoolers: Causes and Dietary Tips


Understanding Soft Stools in Children: Causes and Concerns

Loose stools in children? Hello Doctor: My child was born in October 2004, male. He has daily bowel movements, sometimes once and sometimes twice. He often complains of stomach pain before having a bowel movement. For the past few days, his stools have been loose. He is 142 cm ta...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
An increase in the frequency of bowel movements and an increase in the water content of stools is defined as diarrhea. Acute diarrhea refers to diarrhea symptoms lasting less than two weeks, while chronic diarrhea is defined as diarrhea lasting more than two weeks. The vast major...

[Read More] Understanding Soft Stools in Children: Causes and Concerns


Understanding Hiccups in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions

Neonatal vaccination? Hello, I would like to ask about my younger sister who is currently about 18 months old. Sometimes she experiences burping, and after I pat her back, it seems to improve a bit. At this age, has her gastrointestinal tract fully developed, or does she need to ...


Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
A one-and-a-half-year-old child has better gastrointestinal development compared to the infant stage, so they can consume solid foods. However, their development is still not complete (for example, in terms of gastric acid secretion or intestinal length). Patting their back can i...

[Read More] Understanding Hiccups in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions


Understanding Constipation in Formula-Fed Babies: Tips for Parents

Babies who are fed formula milk? Doctor: May I ask, my little sister is already one year old and she is drinking formula milk. I would like to know if babies who drink formula can experience constipation. She is fed every four hours and sometimes has a bloated stomach. Could this...


Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
1. A one-year-old toddler no longer needs to be fed every four hours; is this the same for a one-month-old infant? 2. Formula milk can indeed cause constipation more easily than breast milk, which is why breast milk is the best nutritional food for infants. 3. When a toddler has ...

[Read More] Understanding Constipation in Formula-Fed Babies: Tips for Parents


Understanding Infant Sleep Issues: Vomiting and Colic in Newborns

Infant Sleep I'm sorry, my sister just turned one month old. She still vomits a lot at night while sleeping, and she also has colicky pain. Is this related to her gastrointestinal tract? I have been feeding her rice cereal, wheat cereal, and juice. Will her gastrointestinal ...


Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
A one-month-old infant should not be fed solid foods due to the incomplete development of gastrointestinal function (such as starch digestion). Feeding may lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, and incomplete digestion. It is advisable for the sister to consult a pediat...

[Read More] Understanding Infant Sleep Issues: Vomiting and Colic in Newborns


Understanding White Stool Clumps in Infants and Yam Consumption for Toddlers

White stool with yam? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I would like to ask: 1. My sister, who is one month old, is primarily breastfed, but since she hasn't been getting enough, we have been supplementing with Nestlé formula. Since we started the formula, her stool has been yellow, which ...


Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. It is normal for undigested milk to form white curds in the stool; this is not a sign of indigestion. 2. As long as yam is cooked, it is safe for consumption and will not cause allergies, making it suitable for young children. However, it is considered a staple food, so if c...

[Read More] Understanding White Stool Clumps in Infants and Yam Consumption for Toddlers


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