Is Severe Hydronephrosis Leading to Kidney Atrophy a Major Health Concern?
Is having a single kidney due to severe hydronephrosis resulting in kidney atrophy considered a major illness? Dear Dr. Pei, I would like to ask you a few questions, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond amidst your busy schedule. When my child was four to five month...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: 1. According to the regulations on major illnesses from the Department of Health website (http://www.nhi.gov.tw/webdata/AttachFiles/Attach_1059_1_W0940043268衛署941221公告重大傷病範圍表.doc): - Chronic renal failure (uremia) requiring regular dialysis treatment is classified as...[Read More] Is Severe Hydronephrosis Leading to Kidney Atrophy a Major Health Concern?
Understanding Heart Defects in Children: Growth and Treatment Insights
A heart defect can affect development? Hello Dr. Wang, My daughter is one year and seven months old, currently weighing around 8.5 to 9 kilograms. She was diagnosed with a heart defect at birth, which requires her to have check-ups every six months. After our visit to the hospit...
Dr. Wang Jiayi Reply:
Hello, Ah He: It seems that you care deeply for your child. Your questions should be answered by a trusted pediatric cardiologist who can provide regular follow-up. Different opinions from various doctors may only add to your concerns. There are some good reference materials avai...[Read More] Understanding Heart Defects in Children: Growth and Treatment Insights
Managing Rapid Heartbeat in Children: Tips and When to Seek Help
Tachycardia Hello, I would like to ask about my 7-year-old child. Recently, at night when she goes to sleep, she tells me that her heart is beating very fast and she feels a bit uncomfortable. When I ask her where it hurts, she can't specify. I measured her heart rate, and i...
Dr. Wang Jiayi Reply:
Hello, Ms. Lan: It is recommended that you take your child to a medical center for a pediatric cardiology outpatient visit. Your child should undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) examination, and sometimes a 24-hour Holter monitor may be necessary. Understanding the cause of your c...[Read More] Managing Rapid Heartbeat in Children: Tips and When to Seek Help
Understanding Infant Feeding Challenges: Why Your Baby Refuses Milk
Not drinking milk? Hello, I would like to ask about my baby who is currently one month old and weighs around 3800 grams (born at 3400 grams). Last week, she was already around 3800 grams, and in the past week, she has not been eating well or normally. We are exclusively breastfee...
Dr. Chen Rongtai Reply:
Hello Kimi's dad, I am writing to address your concerns regarding your baby, who has had a poor appetite over the past week. Your baby is now one month old and has only gained about 400 grams since birth, which is indeed concerning. Additionally, you mentioned that your ba...[Read More] Understanding Infant Feeding Challenges: Why Your Baby Refuses Milk
Understanding Your Child's Nighttime Movements: When to Worry
Son's nighttime sleep? My son raises his hands and feet high and then drops them heavily during the night. Is there really a problem? I'm not sure if there is an increase in frequency, or if there are any accompanying changes in heart rhythm, breathing, or skin color du...
Dr. Chen Rongtai Reply:
The letter mentions that the child raises both hands and feet high in the middle of the night and then drops them heavily, without any accompanying symptoms, and this often occurs when the child is about to wake up. Personally, I believe that you, as Xiao Hui's mother, need ...[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Nighttime Movements: When to Worry
Concerns of a New Mom: Understanding Infant Sleep Behaviors
Worried mother..? Dr. Chen, I apologize for bothering you, but I have a question. My son is almost four months old, but I've noticed that during the night while he is sleeping, he often raises his arms and legs high and then drops them heavily, waking up those sleeping nearb...
Dr. Chen Rongtai Reply:
Hello, Ms. Hsiao-Hui. In your letter, you mentioned two concerns regarding your nearly four-month-old son. Generally speaking, during the two to four-month stage, infants experience significant physical, mental, and emotional development. A two-month-old baby typically begins to ...[Read More] Concerns of a New Mom: Understanding Infant Sleep Behaviors
Understanding Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Children: Lifespan and Learning Challenges
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Hello Doctor, my son is 2 years old. At birth, he was diagnosed with a heart condition, specifically hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. During his hospitalization for over a month, his blood oxygen saturation remained above 97%, and he never experienced any ...
Dr. Wang Jiayi Reply:
This concerned mother is advised that 1) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a rather unique condition, with severity varying from person to person. It is recommended to identify a trustworthy and communicative pediatric cardiologist at a medical center, and to follow their advice for...[Read More] Understanding Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Children: Lifespan and Learning Challenges
Understanding Thin Heart Muscle and Holes in Pediatric Patients
Heart Hello Doctor: My son was born on the 17th of this month. Today (the 30th), he underwent an echocardiogram related to his heart. The results showed that the muscle between his left and right ventricles is a bit thin, resulting in a small hole. The doctor mentioned that it is...
Dr. Zhang Guozhen Reply:
Dr. Chang Kuo-Chen, Director of the Pediatrics Department at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, respectfully responds as follows: Based on your letter, it sounds like there may be a ventricular septal defect (VSD). However, there are various types of VSDs, among which the membranous type ...[Read More] Understanding Thin Heart Muscle and Holes in Pediatric Patients
Understanding Decreased Urine Output in a Five-Month-Old Baby
The urine output of a five-month-old baby has decreased? Doctor, is this related to the kidneys? 1. The baby is almost six months old. 2. There was a diagnosis of hydronephrosis at birth, but during the three-month check-up, the doctor said it had not increased in size and that w...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: According to statistics, 20% of newborns have varying degrees of hydronephrosis. If it is mild hydronephrosis, ultrasound examinations can be performed every three to six months. The normal urine output for children is 1-4 cc/kg/hr, and it is advisable to observe for a per...[Read More] Understanding Decreased Urine Output in a Five-Month-Old Baby
Understanding Maple Syrup Urine Disease: Complications, Survival Rates, and Nutritional Needs
Maple syrup Complications of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) include neurological damage, developmental delays, and metabolic crises. The survival rate varies, but with early diagnosis and treatment, many individuals can lead relatively normal lives. MSUD is considered rare in T...
Dr. Zhang Guozhen Reply:
Dear Dr. Kuo-Chen Chang of the Hsinchu County Hospital, Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare pediatric condition that is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Its true incidence in Taiwan is not well understood. This disorder is caused by a deficiency in the enzyme b...[Read More] Understanding Maple Syrup Urine Disease: Complications, Survival Rates, and Nutritional Needs
Caring for Infants with Kawasaki Disease: Key Considerations and Concerns
How to care for a baby with Kawasaki disease? Hello, my daughter just turned 2 months old. After being hospitalized for a fever two weeks ago, she was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Currently, her echocardiogram is normal. I would like to know if this condition can lead to any ...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Dr. Lin Huizhen of the Pediatric Department at Tainan Hospital, Executive Yuan Health Department: The most significant potential long-term complication of Kawasaki disease is related to the heart. If there are no changes in cardiac follow-up, future medication and monitorin...[Read More] Caring for Infants with Kawasaki Disease: Key Considerations and Concerns
Seeking Help for My Asthmatic Toddler: Request for Care DVD
I have a 2.5-year-old child with asthma. Could your hospital send a DVD on asthma care for children to a helpless mother? I would be very grateful? I have a child with asthma, born on July 19, 1992, who is currently 2 years and 8 months old. Every time she catches a cold, she alm...
Dr. Zhang Guozhen Reply:
The pediatric department of Zhudong Hospital under the Department of Health, represented by Dr. Chang Guo-Zhen, respectfully provides the following educational materials on asthma care. I will contact you later to send them.[Read More] Seeking Help for My Asthmatic Toddler: Request for Care DVD
Understanding and Addressing Childhood Panic Disorders: A Parent's Guide
Panic disorder in children My child, born in June 1990, has been experiencing unexplained fears at home. She often expresses fear of her hands moving, her buttocks moving, her legs moving, etc. At bedtime, any slight noise, even the faintest sound, makes her too scared to sleep u...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
1. When we encounter our children's fearful reactions, we often respond with a reprimanding tone: "You need to be braver! What is there to be afraid of?" However, children's emotions are very real, and their willingness to express feelings and talk about them ...[Read More] Understanding and Addressing Childhood Panic Disorders: A Parent's Guide
Understanding Williams Syndrome: Impact on Development and Intelligence in Infants
Williams syndrome Hello! The child is currently 9 months old, weighing 9.6 kg, and has congenital heart disease, specifically pulmonary artery stenosis and ventricular septal defect. However, no surgery is required, only regular follow-ups. Recently, the doctor advised us to cond...
Dr. Zhang Wenwang Reply:
Williams syndrome primarily affects the aorta and peripheral pulmonary arteries in the heart. It may also impact cognitive function. Let's discuss further once a definitive diagnosis is made.[Read More] Understanding Williams Syndrome: Impact on Development and Intelligence in Infants
Understanding Congenital Heart Disease in Infants: A Parent's Guide
Congenital heart disease Hello Doctor: My baby was born on November 19, and we noticed some wheezing while in the hospital. After several days of examinations, it was discovered that she has a congenital heart defect involving the arterial trunk. Neither my family nor my husband&...
Dr. Zhang Yingwen Reply:
Congenital Heart Disease of the Arterial Trunk: The arterial trunk is a single large vessel that emerges from both the left and right ventricles and crosses over a ventricular septal defect. This common vessel has a valve and subsequently branches into the pulmonary artery, coron...[Read More] Understanding Congenital Heart Disease in Infants: A Parent's Guide
Understanding High Fever and Rashes in Young Children: Causes and Concerns
Pediatric fever Hello Doctor, my daughter is currently 1 year and 4 months old and often has sudden high fevers. Initially, her fever reaches 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. When we see the doctor, it is almost always diagnosed as tonsillitis. After taking medication, her fever usually...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Judy, When children aged 1-2 years experience a fever that subsides, some may develop a rash afterward. Generally, if the rash appears after the fever has resolved and starts from specific areas of the body, such as the face or neck, before spreading to the body and legs, i...[Read More] Understanding High Fever and Rashes in Young Children: Causes and Concerns
Understanding Your Baby's Growth: Weight, Health, and Apgar Scores
Baby's height and weight? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you... My baby was born weighing only 2100 grams, and at 5 months and 20 days, after catching a cold, the weight measured at the hospital was 7.4 kilograms. I would like to know if this is too thin. I accidentally ...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
Dear Mother of Little Fish, Congratulations! Your baby has successfully reached a normal height and weight. The typical birth weight for a full-term baby is between 2500-3500 grams. Your baby was born with a noticeably lower weight but has now caught up to the 50th percentile fo...[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Growth: Weight, Health, and Apgar Scores
Understanding Head Control Milestones and Infant Care Concerns
The definition of "head elevation" and other related terms? Hello Dr. Tsai, 1. I see many people discussing at what age their children can lift their heads, and I noticed in the child development handbook that there are specific angles mentioned for head lifting at cer...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
Dear Ms. Lin, I hope this message finds you well. As a dedicated pediatrician at Tainan Municipal Hospital, I would like to address your concerns one by one: 1. In the neurological examination of infants, I often need to assess the baby's muscle strength as well as their ...[Read More] Understanding Head Control Milestones and Infant Care Concerns
Understanding Delayed Initial Crying in Newborns: Causes and Implications
What causes a delay in the onset of initial crying? Dear Dr. Tsai, Our baby did not cry at birth and is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit. It took about two hours for the baby to cry, but the sound was very high-pitched. Now, on the third day, the baby's crying ...
Dr. Cai Zhengxian Reply:
Dear Lin Mama, I understand that you are very concerned about whether your baby’s delayed crying at birth may indicate neurological issues. This is a question that requires careful observation and patience to answer. There are many reasons why a newborn may not cry immediately a...[Read More] Understanding Delayed Initial Crying in Newborns: Causes and Implications
Understanding Bowleggedness in Children and Tooth Extraction Tips
Outwardly rotated feet (or "out-to Hello, doctor! I would like to ask: 1. Is it normal for a five-year-old child to walk with a slight outward toeing? I am a bit concerned that it might be due to excess fat on the inner thigh. The child weighs 23 kilograms. 2. Can parents as...
Dr. Lin Huizhen Reply:
Dear Candy, 1. It is common for children to walk with a slight outward toeing, which can have various causes, most of which are related to walking habits. If the outward toeing is not pronounced, generally no treatment is necessary. However, if you feel that the outward toeing i...[Read More] Understanding Bowleggedness in Children and Tooth Extraction Tips