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Zhang Xian Hua
Pediatrics
About me
Zhang Xianhua: Master's degree, chief physician, director of the Children's Digestive Neurology Department (Pediatric Seventh Department) of Hunan People's Hospital. Member of the National Professional Committee of Pediatricians of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, member of the Minimally Invasive Professional Committee of the Chinese Maternal and Child Health Association's Pediatric Digestive Minimally Invasive Working Group, deputy director of the Pediatric Digestive Group of the Hunan Pediatric Association, registered nutritionist of the Chinese Nutrition Society, member of the Committee of Allergies and Immune Reactions of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Hunan Province, expert in the National Science and Technology Expert Database of the Ministry of Science and Technology, expert reviewer in the Medicine and Health Evaluation Expert Database of Hunan Province, member of the Forensic Identification Committee of Hunan Province, member of the Medical Accident Identification Committee of Hunan Province, expert in the Vaccination Identification Committee of Hunan Province. Engaged in pediatric clinical and research teaching for more than twenty years, repeatedly honored as an outstanding medical worker, outstanding Communist Party member, medical ethics model and recipient of awards from the Health Department.
Proficient in diseases
Specializes in: diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases in pediatric digestive system, digestive endoscopy technology, and emergency critical care.
Voices
Can babies take medicine when they have a cold?
Babies can certainly take medicine when they have a cold. However, if the symptoms are mild and the general condition is good, and the baby can eat and sleep well, it might not be necessary to medicate. It's important to pay close attention and there might be a possibility of natural recovery without medication. If the symptoms of the cold are severe, it is necessary to take medicine, because if it is not controlled in time, it may lead to new infections. For example, a secondary bacterial infection could develop, and there is also a possibility that a cold in the upper respiratory tract could progress to the lower respiratory tract and cause pneumonia, which poses a significant risk. When choosing medications, we generally need to opt for those safe for infants, and avoid any medications contraindicated for infants. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Does infant umbilical hernia need to be treated?
Over 80% of infant umbilical hernias can heal before the age of two because, as the child grows older, the abdominal muscles gradually develop. The umbilical ring often progressively narrows and closes, so no treatment is actually needed. However, it is usually advisable to prevent the child from crying excessively and to treat any gastroenteric colds and indigestion actively and effectively, to avoid repetitive protrusion of the hernia. If the child still has a noticeable umbilical hernia after the age of two, or if the diameter of the hernia ring exceeds 2cm, it is usually difficult to heal naturally. Surgery might be required, typically involving the removal of the hernia sac and repair of the abdominal wall defect.
Treatment of infant umbilical hernia, what are the methods?
Infant umbilical hernia is a congenital condition where the abdominal wall muscles around the navel are underdeveloped and weak, causing a protrusion at the umbilicus. This often protrudes more readily when intra-abdominal pressure increases. Therefore, it is important to avoid causing the child excessive crying, and if the child has gastrointestinal symptoms, they should be treated promptly. Furthermore, since over 80% of umbilical hernias close as the child ages, typically by the age of two, as the hernia ring gradually narrows or even closes, special treatment is usually not needed. However, if the umbilical hernia has not healed by the time the child is two years old, or if the diameter of the hernia ring is greater than 2cm, surgery may ultimately be necessary.
How to clear phlegm for a baby with a cold?
There are several methods to help a baby with a cold expel phlegm, which are as follows: First, you can give the infant some Western or traditional Chinese medicines that help expel phlegm to aid the removal of mucus. Second, gently patting the baby's back can also facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. Third, if possible, using a phlegm suction device can help the baby expel phlegm. Fourth, administering nebulized medications that help expel and remove phlegm can be effective. Lastly, it's important to treat the cause of the baby's cold-related phlegm production. Most colds are caused by respiratory viral infections, so taking antiviral medications can be very effective. If the cold and phlegm persist, be aware of the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection, which, if present, may require antibiotic treatment. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Is pillow baldness rickets?
Balding at the back of the head is a common clinical manifestation of rickets, but it does not mean that balding at the back of the head is equivalent to rickets, as there are many causes for this condition. In children with rickets, due to a lack of vitamin D leading to calcium deficiency, their neural excitability increases, which can affect the baby's sleep and cause restless sleep leading to balding at the back of the head. However, children who are in poor nutritional condition might also experience deficiencies in trace elements, such as a lack of zinc or iron, which can also lead to sleep disturbances and balding at the back of the head, indicating that the cause may not necessarily be rickets. Additionally, a small number of children might have an inherent condition of increased neural excitability that affects sleep, leading to balding at the back of the head, which also isn't due to rickets. Therefore, if balding at the back of the head occurs, it is advisable to visit a hospital’s pediatric healthcare department or pediatric outpatient clinic for a consultation and check-up, to actively treat and manage based on the underlying cause.
Will an infant's umbilical hernia heal by itself?
Infant umbilical hernia is a congenital disease, caused by a weak abdominal wall around the navel, leading to a protrusion at the navel. However, over 80% of infant umbilical hernias will, before the age of two, gradually heal as the hernial ring narrows and closes due to growth in age and physical development, achieving self-healing. Only a small portion require surgery. If an infant still has a noticeable umbilical hernia at the age of two, or if the hernial ring diameter is greater than 2 cm, then surgery is necessary.
Symptoms of a baby catching a cold
Symptoms of a cold in infants vary widely. Generally, they may exhibit one or several of the following symptoms. The first is upper respiratory tract catarrhal symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. The second is respiratory symptoms, which may manifest as varying degrees of coughing, with or without phlegm. The third is symptoms of fever, which can occur to different extents. The fourth concerns gastrointestinal symptoms; the baby may experience reduced appetite, vomiting, abdominal distension, irritability, crying, diarrhea, among others.
Does infant umbilical hernia need treatment?
Infant umbilical hernia is caused by poor congenital development of the navel, resulting in protrusion of the umbilicus. Usually, as the child ages, the hernial ring gradually narrows and closes, and 80% of such cases can close on their own. However, there are a few cases, such as those where the hernial ring diameter is too large, especially more than 2cm, or those that do not close by the age of two, which require surgical treatment. During this period, it is usually necessary to avoid situations that may cause increased abdominal pressure in the child, leading to protrusion of the navel, such as preventing the child from crying intensely. For instance, if the child exhibits gastrointestinal symptoms, they should be taken to the doctor for timely examination and treatment.
What department should I go to for a baby's cold?
Infant colds are diseases caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infections, and onset is usually sudden. The registration for a doctor's visit may vary depending on the timing. If it's during normal working hours, then a visit to the pediatric outpatient clinic is usually sufficient. However, if it's during off hours, such as at noon, evening, weekends, or public holidays, then a visit to the pediatric emergency department is generally required. Additionally, depending on the symptoms accompanying the cold, a sub-specialty within pediatrics can be chosen. For instance, if the infant cold includes significant respiratory symptoms, then a visit to the pediatric respiratory medicine outpatient clinic is appropriate. If the cold comes with gastrointestinal symptoms, then the pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic is suitable.
Oral thrush is treated by the Department of Stomatology.
Thrush is a disease caused by Candida albicans infection of the oral mucosa, which is more common in infants and young children, especially those with weakened immune systems or those who are taking steroids or immunosuppressants. If the baby develops thrush during the newborn period, they should be seen at the neonatology clinic. If the thrush occurs after one month of age, older infants can be seen at the pediatric clinic during normal working hours. During non-working hours, such as noon, evening, weekends, or holidays, pediatric emergency services are available. If convenient, a pediatric dentistry clinic can also be visited.