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Shi Ji Peng
Pediatrics
About me
Senior attending physician with over ten years of experience working at a top-tier hospital. Principal investigator for 2 provincial-level research projects in Henan, and participated in 4 others. Published over 20 research papers domestically and internationally.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of common pediatric diseases and frequently-occurring illnesses, as well as the rescue of critically ill children, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and critical conditions in newborns.
Voices
What are the symptoms of neonatal jaundice?
Neonatal jaundice generally appears on the 2nd to 3rd day after birth and can manifest with yellowing of the skin, conjunctiva, and oral mucosa. The degree of jaundice varies, usually more noticeable on the face and chest, but not present on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. It is most apparent on the 4th to 6th day after birth. The duration of jaundice also varies; in full-term infants, jaundice typically subsides within 10-14 days after birth, whereas in premature infants, it can last until the third or even the fourth week. During this period, infants with physiological jaundice are generally in good condition without any other discomfort and do not require treatment. However, pathological jaundice must be investigated for its cause. Pathological jaundice is primarily characterized by an early onset, severe degree, prolonged duration, or recurrence of jaundice. In such cases, it is classified as pathological jaundice, and it is crucial to actively search for the cause and treat accordingly based on the identified cause.
How is Kawasaki disease diagnosed?
Kawasaki disease, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute febrile rash disease characterized primarily by inflammation of medium and small arteries throughout the body, with a self-limiting nature. Clinically, it mainly presents with fever, rash, mucosal lesions, conjunctival congestion, and non-suppurative enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. If untreated, 20% of cases can lead to coronary artery damage. To diagnose this disease, in addition to typical clinical manifestations, attention must also be paid to various tests such as blood tests, immunological tests, and ultrasound examinations for a comprehensive assessment. Although the clinical characteristics are largely indicative of the disease, ultrasound examination is crucial to check for any dilation of the coronary arteries.
Kawasaki Disease Aspirin Side Effects
Aspirin is necessary for Kawasaki disease. Considering the pros and cons, aspirin must be used in cases of Kawasaki disease, initially in high doses. However, aspirin indeed has side effects. Some say aspirin is contraindicated for children, as its consumption can lead to Reye's Syndrome. This syndrome involves widespread mitochondrial damage following the intake of salicylate drugs during viral infection recovery, posing risks to the liver and brain. Without timely treatment, it could likely lead to liver and kidney failure, brain damage, or even death. Thus, aside from specific diseases, the use of aspirin is strictly prohibited. These specific diseases include Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Therefore, the use of aspirin in Kawasaki disease is necessary, but it can indeed lead to some side effects.
How long does Kawasaki disease require hospitalization?
Kawasaki disease requires hospitalization and continued medication after discharge. The duration of the hospital stay is mainly determined by the child's clinical symptoms. The child can return home when the fever subsides and the dosage of aspirin is reduced, which may take about four to seven days, although this is just a general scenario. After discharge, medication must continue. If the child's coronary arteries are fine, with no dilation or lesions, a low dose of aspirin can be taken for about two months. If there are issues with the coronary arteries, aspirin must be continuously taken until the dilation resolves before stopping the aspirin, so this period can be quite long.
Is a newborn jaundice level of 15.8 serious?
Neonatal jaundice of 15.8 is relatively high. Whether this is serious depends primarily on which day after birth the jaundice value of 15.8 appears. If it occurs within the first three days after birth, a jaundice value of 15.8 is considered serious. Furthermore, the earlier it appears, the more severe the child's condition is. For example, if the child shows a jaundice value of 15.8 at 48 hours old, it is less severe compared to it appearing within the first 24 hours after birth. Therefore, once jaundice is observed, it is important to investigate the possible causes, such as hemolytic disease, infection, infant hepatitis, or biliary atresia. Identifying the specific cause allows for targeted treatment of the condition, while also actively treating the jaundice in the child.
Symptoms of neonatal keratitis
After a newborn develops keratitis, symptoms such as eye discomfort, tearing, increased tear secretion, and congestion may occur. If the cornea is infected due to disease or trauma, the inflammation of the cornea will inevitably affect the vision to varying degrees, especially if the inflammation invades the pupil area, which is more severe. After the ulcer heals, the resulting corneal scar not only obstructs the entry of light into the eye but also causes changes in the curvature and refractive index of the corneal surface, affecting vision. Generally, for newborns, the symptoms are caused by non-severe illnesses, so they are usually mild, mostly involving tearing or even secretion. In such cases, eye medications should be used early for treatment. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)