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Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
About me
Practicing physician, graduated from the Department of Pediatrics with a bachelor's degree from university, has been working in pediatric internal medicine for twenty-five years.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in common pediatric diseases such as colds, pneumonia, diarrhea, eczema, neonatal jaundice, infant feeding, and more.
Voices
How to determine if a baby has pigeon chest
Pectus carinatum, commonly referred to as pigeon chest, is a manifestation of the skeletal sequelae of rickets in children, where the sternum protrudes outward. To examine for pigeon chest, one commonly uses the hand to feel from top to bottom; if the sternum is noticeably protruding from the surface, then pigeon chest may be considered. This condition is a sequelae caused by a deficiency of Vitamin D. If this is the case, it is essential to visit a pediatric care, growth and development, or general pediatric outpatient clinic, where a pediatrician can confirm the diagnosis. If pigeon chest is confirmed, blood tests to measure Vitamin D levels should be conducted for infants. For older children, appropriate calcium supplementation and exercises to expand the chest should also be considered.
What medicine should be used for infant eczema?
Infant eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease that is fairly common in infants and young children. When eczema occurs, the affected area typically shows skin redness, followed by rashes and rough skin. Some may experience scaling and exudation, and the itching can be quite intense for the child. Eczema, as the name might suggest, is not caused by moist skin but rather by dry skin in the affected area, hence moisturizing makes up a significant part of the treatment. A thick layer of moisturizer specifically designed for infants should be applied to the child, three to four times a day. Based on the severity of the eczema, mild steroid creams can be used to effectively control the condition. For breastfed children, the mother should avoid consuming beef, lamb, nuts, seafood, and fermented rice wine, as these might exacerbate the condition. For children on formula, depending on the severity of the eczema, amino acid-based formulas or extensively hydrolyzed protein formulas should be given.
What should I do about hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common exanthematous infectious disease in children caused by enterovirus infections. Most cases are mild to moderate and can be treated at home with oral medication. Doctors generally prescribe antiviral medications, and if the child's temperature exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretic medications are also required. If there is discomfort in the throat, some medications can be sprayed to relieve local discomfort. For severe cases, such as those caused by EV71 virus infection, it is crucial to be vigilant. This type of infection can lead to symptoms involving the nervous system and may rapidly progress to severe conditions. Therefore, if it is confirmed that the hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by EV71 infection and the child's condition is serious, hospitalization should be promptly sought. Additionally, for children under three years old, it's important to actively vaccinate against hand, foot, and mouth disease to prevent illness caused by EV71 virus infection.
What medicine should a child take for diarrhea?
For children with diarrhea, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the diarrhea. If the child has diarrhea due to a viral infection, with watery stools, the first step is to replenish oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration and oral mucosal protectants, and then give the child probiotics. For severe diarrhea, some anti-diarrheal medications can also be taken. If the child has diarrhea due to a bacterial infection, or dysentery, which is also a bacterial infection, or caused by Shigella bacteria, it is necessary to treat the child with antibiotics under the guidance of a hospital doctor in order to achieve the treatment goal. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)
Does hand, foot, and mouth disease cause fever?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious childhood exanthem caused by an intestinal virus infection. The primary symptoms of most hand, foot, and mouth diseases include fever, followed by rashes on the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks, as well as vesicles in the throat. However, not all children with the disease necessarily experience continuous fever or any fever at all. Some only show symptoms after coming into contact with an infected person, with rashes on the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks, and vesicles in the throat. In such cases, it is still considered hand, foot, and mouth disease, and fever is not a requisite for diagnosis. Thus, the presence of fever should not be solely relied upon for diagnosing the disease.
What should be done about infantile hemangiomas?
If an infant has a hemangioma, it is first necessary to assess the location and size of the hemangioma. Currently, the main treatments for hemangioma include: Firstly, oral medications such as Xin De An, which is commonly used for cardiovascular issues, can gradually reduce the size of the hemangioma. Although it is an oral medication, it is essential to conduct electrocardiograph and echocardiogram examinations before taking the medication, and the treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a hospital doctor, followed by regular observation. Secondly, topical application of certain eye drops may gradually reduce smaller hemangiomas. Thirdly, surgical treatment is used for particularly large hemangiomas to completely eliminate them. Another method is to treat older children with laser or plasma therapy; this is generally performed when the child is older, and the local treatment is quite effective.
Is infantile eczema contagious?
Infant eczema is not contagious because it is the most common skin disease among children, especially babies and young children, also known as atopic dermatitis. It primarily presents as local proliferative and exudative changes, and it is not an infectious disease, so it is not contagious. Therefore, infant eczema is ultimately caused by intrinsic reasons. Consequently, when a child comes into contact with another child who has eczema, they will not contract eczema. Parents should note this; it is only a skin condition and is not contagious because it is not an infectious disease. Therefore, when a child has eczema, we must treat it actively, primarily focusing on moisturizing and using mild topical corticosteroid creams. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
Is hand, foot, and mouth disease serious?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection primarily characterized by scattered vesicular or papular rashes on the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks. It is generally a mild condition, and typical symptoms include fever and rash. It can be treated with oral medications and by taking care of oral and skin hygiene, usually healing quickly. Severe cases caused by the EV71 virus can lead to varying degrees of intracranial pressure. In such serious cases, prompt treatment with mannitol and furosemide to reduce intracranial pressure is necessary; corticosteroids may also be needed if required. For children with severe hypoxia, timely correction of oxygen deficiency is crucial, along with intravenous fluids to maintain stable blood pressure, respiration, heart rate, and microcirculation. (Please consult a professional physician for medication guidance and do not self-medicate.)
Is infantile eczema contagious?
Pediatric eczema is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin condition that typically presents during infancy and early childhood. Some children may continue to experience symptoms into childhood and even adulthood. It is characterized by skin damage but is not infectious; thus, pediatric eczema is not contagious, which should reassure parents. The causes of pediatric eczema are complex and relate to immune dysfunction or deficiency, and nutritional disorders. External factors also play a role, such as allergies to milk, fish, shrimp, or eggs, as well as mechanical irritation or improper care, all of which can lead to eczema. However, it is not contagious. Poor care can lead to local bacterial infections of the skin, which parents must be careful to avoid.
What should I do if a child has a cold and an earache?
When a child catches a cold, it indicates that the child has an acute upper respiratory tract infection. About 90% of acute upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viral infections, and approximately 10% are caused by bacterial infections. It is important to actively deal with a child's cold. If a child experiences ear pain during the cold, it is essential to take the child to an otolaryngologist to check their ears, as acute otitis media is the most common complication after a cold. The child may develop acute serous otitis media, and if not promptly treated, it can lead to rupture or perforation of the eardrum. Therefore, it is crucial to rule out otitis media when a child with a cold experiences ear pain. If otitis media is ruled out and the child still has ear pain, it may simply be a symptom of the cold.