Persistent High Fever in Children: What to Do When It Reaches 39°C?
The child has a persistent fever above 39 degrees Celsius? If a child has a fever over 39 degrees Celsius and a consistently sore throat, and despite seeing a pediatrician and using rectal antipyretics, the condition remains unchanged, what should be done?
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The effects of various antipyretics can only last for a few hours, and their purpose is to provide temporary comfort for children. If the illness is not resolved (common viral infections typically cause fever for three to four days, and some may last up to a week), it is quite co...[Read More] Persistent High Fever in Children: What to Do When It Reaches 39°C?
Calcium Deficiency in Infants: Signs, Concerns, and Solutions
Calcium deficiency in infants? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I would like to ask about an article I recently saw online regarding calcium deficiency in babies. It suggests that babies should start eating solid foods at 4 months, but I only started my baby on solids this month at 6 months. My ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Most infant complementary foods are rich in calcium, and starting to introduce these foods at 6 months old should not lead to calcium deficiency symptoms, so there is no need to worry too much. The infant was born weighing 2170 grams and measuring 43 centimeters, and at 6 months ...[Read More] Calcium Deficiency in Infants: Signs, Concerns, and Solutions
Understanding Summer Fever in Children: Symptoms, Duration, and When to Seek Help
Regarding the issue of summer heat! Hello Dr. Hsiao: On the early morning of May 18th, my younger brother suddenly developed a fever of 38 degrees Celsius. We took him to the emergency department at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for blood tests, urinalysis, and stool tes...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. Summer heat is commonly observed during the hotter months, particularly in infants aged six months to three years. This may be due to the immature thermoregulation function in young children, causing their body temperature to rise with increasing environmental temperatures. Ty...[Read More] Understanding Summer Fever in Children: Symptoms, Duration, and When to Seek Help
Understanding Bronchitis in Infants: Symptoms, Care, and Recovery Time
Bronchiolitis in infants Hello Dr. Hsiao, my baby is currently 2 months and 20 days old and has caught a cold for the second time. This time, she has a severe cough along with wheezing. I took her to the doctor, who said it might be bronchitis, possibly triggered by the cold or d...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. For those with mild symptoms, the symptoms typically resolve within two to five days. In more severe cases, the illness may last longer and could progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia, requiring hospitalization. Patients with pre-existing conditions such as congenital heart d...[Read More] Understanding Bronchitis in Infants: Symptoms, Care, and Recovery Time
Understanding Colds in Newborns with Heart Conditions: Key Insights
Common Cold in Newborns Dr. Hsiao, I would like to ask again about my child who has a patent foramen ovale. How will a cold affect her? What should we pay attention to? The baby does not have a fever, is active, and has a good appetite, but she does have a cough. I heard from a d...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. The majority of patent foramen ovale cases are benign and will gradually close on their own. If there are no cardiac complications, a common cold does not have any impact. 2. Coughing between 2 to 5 AM does not necessarily indicate pneumonia; there is no such assertion. 3....[Read More] Understanding Colds in Newborns with Heart Conditions: Key Insights
Can Babies with Hydrocephalus Safely Consume Solid Foods?
Can babies with hydrocephalus consume solid foods? Hello Dr. Hsiao: Previously, during the four-month vaccination, it was found that the baby had 0.7 cm of hydrocephalus in the brain. I would like to ask, since the baby is now over four months old and has only been drinking dilut...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Hydrocephalus (commonly referred to as "water on the brain") generally does not require fluid restriction, and the dietary principles are similar to those for a normally developing infant. However, if there are additional complications, such as certain heart conditions ...[Read More] Can Babies with Hydrocephalus Safely Consume Solid Foods?
Introducing Solid Foods for Infants with Hydrocephalus and Heart Conditions
Issues with Complementary Foods My baby has 0.7 cm of hydrocephalus (it is still uncertain whether it is true hydrocephalus), and he also has a patent foramen ovale. However, the width of the patent foramen ovale has already decreased compared to the measurement taken at two mont...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Heart conditions that require fluid restriction are usually more severe. Your pediatric cardiologist should remind you that a patent foramen ovale in infants is typically a mild heart issue that often resolves on its own (it may not even be classified as a heart disease), and the...[Read More] Introducing Solid Foods for Infants with Hydrocephalus and Heart Conditions
Understanding Patent Foramen Ovale in Infants: Key Questions Answered
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) Hello Dr. Hsiao, I would like to ask you a few questions. 1. My baby is 4 months old. During the newborn echocardiogram, the doctor noted a 0.13 mm gap in the foramen ovale. In today's 4-month check-up, the gap measured 0.474 mm. Since these two ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
1. Echocardiography is a highly skill-dependent examination, and the accuracy of the results can vary based on the operator's experience and technique, as well as the baby's level of cooperation at the time of the exam. 2. The foramen ovale typically gradually decreases...[Read More] Understanding Patent Foramen Ovale in Infants: Key Questions Answered
Understanding Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Newborns: What Parents Should Know
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) I had a cesarean section on February 24 and gave birth to a daughter. On the 29th, a neonatal echocardiogram was performed, and the report was sent on March 8, concluding that there is a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Under normal circumstances, it...
Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello: After a newborn is born, the ductus arteriosus typically closes. If it remains open, it is referred to as a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Under normal circumstances, it usually closes on its own within a few weeks, and once closed, there are no heart issues. It is recomm...[Read More] Understanding Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Newborns: What Parents Should Know
What to Do If Your 6-Month-Old Baby Has a Patent Foramen Ovale?
What should I do if my six-month-old baby’s oval foramen has not closed? My baby had an echocardiogram at birth, which revealed a patent foramen ovale (PFO). After three months, a follow-up showed two small openings measuring 0.3 and 0.4 cm. The doctor advised further monitoring....
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
In most cases, the patent foramen ovale (PFO) will close on its own over time without any long-term complications, so there is no need for excessive concern. Moreover, your child's size is considered small, and it is also decreasing. Regular follow-up with a pediatric cardio...[Read More] What to Do If Your 6-Month-Old Baby Has a Patent Foramen Ovale?
Is Thymic Hypertrophy Serious in Infants? Key Concerns and Insights
Is a protruding chest line serious? Hello Doctor, DD is now 5 months old. When he was a little over 1 month old, he was hospitalized for pneumonia with a fever of 39 degrees Celsius for a week at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. He had a follow-up appointment a week after discharge,...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Elaine, The thymus is one of the glands in the human body where some bone marrow cells mature. It is located at the upper part of the sternum, between the two lung lobes, and beneath the thyroid gland. As a person ages, the thymus gradually shrinks, but it still retains its...[Read More] Is Thymic Hypertrophy Serious in Infants? Key Concerns and Insights
Impact of Multiple CT Scans on Toddler's Brain Development and Health Risks
Repeated CT scans of the brain in young children? My 2-year and 7-month-old daughter had a car accident in mid-May, where her head hit the ground. She vomited once in the emergency room, and the doctor arranged for a CT scan of her head. She struggled a lot, so she ended up havin...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Zoe, Hello! The following article is for your reference. Reasons for the Popularity of Computed Tomography (CT) Scans The reason why computed tomography (CT) scanning technology is favored by both doctors and patients is that it can quickly provide diagnostic reports, is ...[Read More] Impact of Multiple CT Scans on Toddler's Brain Development and Health Risks
Concerns About Probiotics Containing Plasticizers in Children
Children consuming probiotics containing plasticizers? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I have two children (a daughter in fourth grade and a son in second grade) who have been taking probiotics containing phthalates at 794 ppm for a year and a half (approximately one packet every two days). C...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Attached is the latest statement from the Taiwan Pediatric Association regarding recommendations for health screening of children suspected of exposure to phthalate plasticizers, dated June 1, 2011. 1. Research from various countries indicates that populations worldwide may be e...[Read More] Concerns About Probiotics Containing Plasticizers in Children
Chest Pain in Children: Essential Tests for Diagnosis
Chest tightness or pain? A ten-year-old child who frequently experiences chest tightness should undergo a thorough evaluation. Recommended tests may include: 1. A physical examination by a pediatrician. 2. An electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart rhythm and electrical activity...
Dr. Xie Degui Reply:
Hello: There are many possible causes for chest tightness; it is recommended to take the child directly to the hospital for a pediatric evaluation.[Read More] Chest Pain in Children: Essential Tests for Diagnosis
Understanding Congenital Heart Disease: Are Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Open Ductus Arteriosus the Same?
excuse me? The terms "patent ductus arteriosus" and "open ductus arteriosus" refer to the same condition. They describe a congenital heart defect where the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel that should close shortly after birth, remains open (patent). The diff...
Dr. Zhan Mingxuan Reply:
Hello: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) refers to the same condition, regardless of whether it is translated as "open ductus arteriosus" or "patent ductus arteriosus." It is a common issue in premature infants; various factors can lead to delayed closure of the ...[Read More] Understanding Congenital Heart Disease: Are Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Open Ductus Arteriosus the Same?
Understanding Patent Foramen Ovale in Children: What Parents Need to Know
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) Hello Doctor, my child is currently 2 years and 2 months old. At birth, the foramen ovale was not closed and measured 0.2 cm. During a follow-up at around 6 months, an ultrasound showed that it had closed. However, recently, after my child had a cold an...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Ms. Huang, 1. The foramen ovale is a passage between the left and right atria. It typically closes automatically within six months after birth. If it remains open beyond six months, it is classified as an atrial septal defect (ASD), which accounts for 10% of congenital hear...[Read More] Understanding Patent Foramen Ovale in Children: What Parents Need to Know
Understanding Kawasaki Disease: Urgent Care and Ultrasound Timing for Your Child
Kawasaki disease Hello Dr. Pei, my younger brother is one year old and has recently been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. It has been about half a month since the diagnosis. We visited the doctor on the 14th, and they recommended that we get an ultrasound, but the appointment is ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Jia-Yi, Hello! During the acute phase of Kawasaki disease, a cardiac ultrasound should have already been performed. If there is no significant coronary artery aneurysm formation, you can wait for a period of time before the next follow-up. According to the pediatric cardiol...[Read More] Understanding Kawasaki Disease: Urgent Care and Ultrasound Timing for Your Child
Understanding Pediatric Apnea: Causes, Care, and Treatment Options
Respiratory arrest Hello, doctor: My baby was born at 37 weeks, and both had a birth weight under 2000 grams. One was born on October 9 weighing 1830 grams, and the other 1750 grams, so they are in the incubator. Their organs are all functioning well, but currently, their heart r...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
There are many causes of apnea, such as prematurity, neurological issues (like bleeding or simply immaturity), cardiac problems, airway soft tissue obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux, infections, anemia, and hypoglycemia, among others. Each cause needs to be investigated gradua...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Apnea: Causes, Care, and Treatment Options
Do Infants Need Heart Ultrasounds? Appointment or Walk-In Options?
excuse me? Is there a pediatric echocardiogram available? If so, do I need to make an appointment, or can it be done at any time?
Dr. He Shenglong Reply:
Hello: Pediatric echocardiograms are typically performed at regional hospitals that have a pediatric cardiology department. Please visit the outpatient clinic first to schedule an appointment; our hospital currently does not have a pediatric cardiology department. Thank you![Read More] Do Infants Need Heart Ultrasounds? Appointment or Walk-In Options?
Understanding Increased Deep Breathing in Children: A Pediatric Perspective
Children often take deep breaths? A 7-year-old child (entering second grade) is 120 cm tall and weighs 26 kg. Previously, the child would occasionally take deep breaths, but recently the frequency of deep breathing has increased. The child visited a nearby clinic and consulted a ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Dear Mrs. Cheng, Hello. Based on your description, it is very likely that your child has Tourette syndrome, which is one of the common ages for onset at 7 years old. Tourette syndrome was first described in 1885 by French physician Gilles de la Tourette. It is characterized by c...[Read More] Understanding Increased Deep Breathing in Children: A Pediatric Perspective