Gastrointestinal, Pediatrics FAQ

Understanding Enlarged Intestines in Children: Causes and Concerns

Enlarged intestines in children? Dear Doctor, Recently, my mother took my daughter to see a doctor for a cold. While diagnosing her cold, the doctor noticed that her abdomen was firm. After performing a bowel movement, the doctor informed my mother that she has an enlarged intes...

Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: If there is constipation for an extended period, it can lead to decreased gastrointestinal motility and digestive function. Please have a physician examine you to rule out structural issues (such as megacolon). Chronic constipation should be addressed through dietary chang...

Choosing the Right Formula for Your Baby's Vomiting and Constipation Issues

If a baby is experiencing vomiting, how should the formula be changed? Hello, Dr. Hsiao. My baby is over two months old and used to drink S26 but would often vomit in a projectile manner. Sometimes, he only has a bowel movement every three to four days, and he cries each time. A ...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If you are unsure whether your baby’s weight gain is adequate, and if there is poor weight gain accompanied by projectile vomiting, it is advisable to first visit a pediatric gastroenterologist at a major hospital for an evaluation. This will help determine if there are any gastr...

Understanding Gastrointestinal Issues in Infants: A Guide for Parents

Gastrointestinal issues in infants? Hello, Director Xie. I would like to ask about my two babies who are both about two months old and are drinking S26 formula. One baby has yellow stools, sometimes having several bowel movements a day and sometimes just once a day, weighing abou...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The act of defecation is quite habitual and natural for adults (holding breath, straining the abdomen, relaxing the anal sphincter), but infants are still learning this process. It is acceptable for them to sometimes turn red in the face or even cry while having a bowel movement....

Probiotics for Allergic Children: Addressing Eczema and Gut Health

Probiotics for Allergic Children Issues Hello, doctor. I have some questions to ask. My eldest child is currently over 3 years old and has been diagnosed with a milk protein allergy. Although we have switched to hydrolyzed formula, he frequently develops allergic eczema on his sk...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Theoretically, adding probiotics is intended to adjust the intestinal environment to achieve better digestibility and enhance the gut's defense functions. However, there is no consensus on whether adding probiotics will yield the desired effects, how much should be added, or...

Understanding Blood in Stool: What Parents Should Know About Pediatric Health

Blood in the stool? Hello, Doctor: My daughter is 8 years old, and last week she had blood in her stool, although I didn't see it myself. I thought it might be due to her wiping too hard, so I told her it was okay. However, yesterday she had blood in her stool again, and whe...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
In children, blood in the stool can be classified as upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Fresh red blood in the stool is typically indicative of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (while upper gastrointestinal bleeding often presents as black stools). Possible causes include a...

Is It Safe to Preemptively Give Fever Medicine After Vaccines?

Is this okay? I am Huang Mama, who consulted you last time. My son always has a fever after vaccinations, including the hexavalent vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine. I went to another clinic, and they suggested that I continue with the hexavalent vaccine. After the vaccination, th...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Some physicians believe that certain babies are likely to develop a fever after receiving specific vaccines (like your baby). In such cases, it is acceptable to administer antipyretics before the vaccine is given, as long as the fever has not yet developed. If the fever is confir...

Is It Safe for a 10-Month-Old to Eat Pork Brain? Expert Advice on Baby's Diet

excuse me? Hello, Doctor Hsieh. I would like to ask if a 10-month-old child can eat pig brain. There are elderly family members who insist that it should be given to children, claiming it helps with brain development, but pig brain seems to be very high in cholesterol. Is it suit...

Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: Pork brain has nutritional value and contains cholesterol, which is essential for the brain and lipids, but it should be consumed in moderation. There are many alternatives for infants and young children, such as eggs. If not cooked thoroughly, potential parasites may pose...

Understanding Black Stool in Children: Causes and Concerns

Children with black stools? The child has a fever and after visiting a pediatric clinic and taking the prescribed medication, the child’s stool appears black. It is unclear whether this is due to the medication's ingredients or if there are other underlying issues with the c...

Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: I'm not sure how old the child is, but if the black stool is hard, it may be due to dehydration, iron supplements, or medication. If it is more liquid or paste-like, it could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding. If this condition persists, it is advisable to bring a sa...

Should You Supplement Your Toddler's Diet? Expert Advice on Probiotics and Calcium

Regarding supplements? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if it is appropriate to supplement with nutritional products. My child is 1 year and 3 months old. I have been adding probiotics (since before he turned one) and calcium powder (after he turned one) to his milk, about 1 to...

Is Papaya Juice Safe for My 5-Month-Old Baby?

Infant Hello Dr. Hsiao, My child is five months old. Is it safe for them to drink papaya juice that I made myself? Also, could consuming enzymes have any side effects or be harmful to infants? I've heard differing opinions on whether papaya juice is suitable for babies, so...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Infants aged five months can try "diluted" fruit juice, gradually transitioning from juice to puree. The addition of probiotics or digestive enzymes is theoretically intended to adjust the intestinal environment to achieve easier digestion and enhance gut defense functi...

Should My 4-Month-Old Switch to Hydrolyzed Formula for Allergies?

Is it necessary to switch to drinking water instead of protein powder? Hello Doctor: My son is currently four months old. During his vaccination visit on June 20, the doctor mentioned that he has nasal allergies and observed small red rashes on his chin, indicating an allergic re...

Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Xiao Qing, Hello! Your baby's chin has a small red rash, which is likely a drool rash and is unrelated to food allergies; it is caused by digestive enzymes in saliva irritating the skin. The small flat red rash on the hands is probably heat rash, also unrelated to food...

Understanding Abdominal Pain and Digestive Issues in Children

Gastrointestinal discomfort? A 7-year-old child has recently been frequently complaining of stomach pain, experiencing bloating in the upper abdomen. The stool color varies, sometimes appearing black, and there are instances of both loose and hard stools.

Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: Black stools may indicate constipation or upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Constipation typically results in hard stools, while gastrointestinal bleeding may lead to softer stools. However, a proper examination is necessary to confirm the cause. It is recommended to visit ...

Managing Infant Gas: Tips for Parents of One-Month-Olds

Bloating My baby just turned one month old, and her belly is swollen like a balloon. She burps after feeding, but it still happens. I bought gas relief ointment to apply, but it doesn't seem to help. What should I do?

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is common for infants to experience abdominal distension due to their soft bellies, crying, and frequent sucking motions. As long as their appetite and energy levels are normal, they are passing gas (burping and farting) adequately, having normal bowel movements, and not exper...

Understanding Newborn Constipation: Causes and Solutions

Newborn stool issues? Hello, my baby is 18 days old. I exclusively breastfeed during the day and give formula at night. A few days ago, I noticed that my baby only had a bowel movement every three days, and today it has been four days without a bowel movement. I am very worried. ...

Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello: For infants who are breastfed, due to the complete digestion and absorption of breast milk, along with their gastrointestinal function not being fully developed, it is common for them to have bowel movements every three to four days or even five to six days. Applying warm ...

Can Breast Milk and Formula Be Mixed for Feeding?

Is it safe to mix breast milk and formula for feeding? I received a lactation suppression injection at the hospital, but I still have some breast milk at home. Can I mix feed? Since my breast milk supply is a bit low, I have been giving formula as well. Will this cause gastrointe...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Separately mixing breast milk and formula for feeding will not affect the gastrointestinal system of newborns, as long as they are not combined in the same bottle.

Understanding Pediatric Abdominal Pain Linked to Bowel Movements

Thinking about having a bowel movement causes abdominal pain? Dear Dr. Hsiao, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions despite your busy schedule. My child is 3 years old and has been complaining of stomach pain whenever he feels the urge to have a bowel movement for...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. There is no specific amount of water that children should drink daily, as it depends on their sweat output. The principle is that urine output should be moderate, and stools should not be hard (in fact, increasing fluid intake for children over three years old is generally har...

Switching Baby Formula: Tips for Smooth Transition and Gut Health

Milk consumption issues? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask if it is possible to switch my baby DD back to the original formula, Gold Kabe, since he is still in the adjustment period for the new Anqi'er formula, which I have found to be unsuitable. Currently, I am gradually ...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
As long as the infant formula is from a reputable brand (which is more reliable) and approved by the health department for infant consumption, it is acceptable. The most important factor is that the baby can adapt to it (without experiencing diarrhea or rashes; each infant has di...

Understanding Newborn Bowel Movements: What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Newborn stool Hello, Doctor He. I would like to ask you about my child, who is currently one and a half months old. He is being fed a combination of breast milk and formula, and he has bowel movements twice a day, with a substantial amount each time. Is this considered normal? I ...

Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello: If exclusively breastfeeding, breast milk is digested and absorbed more completely, which may result in bowel movements occurring every three to four days. However, the baby should not experience any discomfort (such as crying, vomiting, severe abdominal distension, or ref...

Can Infant Formula for 0-12 Months Be Given to Older Children?

Can infant formula for babies aged 0-12 months be given to children over 2 years old or even those in elementary school? Hello, Doctor: I apologize for bothering you, but I would like to ask for your advice. I am personally serving at a children's home, and we have received ...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The principle of infant formula is that older children can drink formula intended for younger infants, but younger infants should not drink formula meant for older children. Therefore, children over the age of 2, including elementary school students, can consume infant formula de...

Vaccination and Gastrointestinal Issues in Infants: Common Concerns

Vaccination and gastrointestinal issues? Doctor, is the health center always available to administer vaccinations for babies? Also, why does my baby sometimes have clear liquid leaking from the mouth, mixed with some milk residue, even though they haven't had any water? Coul...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The vaccination schedule at health clinics varies for different vaccines; please consult by phone first. 2. Infants have a small gastric capacity, and the junction between the esophagus and stomach is not yet fully developed, which can lead to some degree of milk regurgitation...

Previous｜Page ｜Next