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Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
About me
Li Jiaoyan, female, attending physician, Master of Pediatric Medicine integrating Chinese and Western medicine. Graduated from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine.
Research interests include integrating Chinese and Western medicine for neonates and pediatric internal medicine, with expertise in treating common and frequent diseases in neonates and children, as well as emergency rescue of critical conditions. Proficient in monitoring the growth and development of children in early stages, assessing their developmental levels, and providing guidance.
Proficient in diseases
Treatment of common and multiple diseases in newborns and children, as well as emergency treatment of critical illnesses, monitoring of early childhood growth and development, assessment of early childhood developmental levels, and guidance.
Voices
Does rickets cause leg pain?
Rickets generally does not cause leg pain. Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D leading to a disturbance in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. This prevents calcium salts from normally depositing in the growing parts of the bones, resulting in incomplete mineralization of bone tissue during growth periods, characterized by chronic, nutritional skeletal disorders. Rickets may lead to increased neuromuscular excitability, thus symptoms such as significant irritability and excessive sweating may occur. As age increases, due to incomplete mineralization of bones, deformities in the lower limbs or the spine may develop, but generally there is no significant pain.
Will rickets cause the ribs to turn outwards and can it be treated?
Rickets is primarily caused by insufficient levels of vitamin D, leading to disrupted calcium and phosphorus metabolism and resulting in abnormal skeletal development. Typically, if there is an abnormality in the bones, it indicates an active phase of the condition. At this point, treatment involves administering adequate doses of vitamin D, appropriate exposure to sunlight, and timely supplementation of other vitamins or trace elements. Generally, in the early stages of outward flaring of the ribs, related rehabilitation exercises can correct the condition. If there is a significant deformity, surgical correction might be necessary. However, for rib flare-outs, proactive and effective treatment targeting the cause, followed by active or passive physical rehabilitation, can lead to improvement.
What is the normal level of neonatal jaundice?
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns. It can be a symptom of the growth and development of the newborn or an indication of certain diseases. Generally, jaundice is divided into physiological and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice is a normal phenomenon, and its acceptable range varies with the age of the newborn. Normally, within the first 24 hours, the bilirubin level should not exceed 6 mg/dL. If within 48 hours, it should not exceed 9 mg/dL, and within 72 hours it should not exceed 12 mg/dL. Beyond 72 hours, more than three days, it should not exceed 15 mg/dL. If the progression of jaundice is rapid and the levels are high, be cautious as it might be pathological jaundice. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a neonatologist who can assess the baby’s specific situation. If it is pathological jaundice, prompt intervention and treatment are recommended.
Do newborns with jaundice bathe in mugwort leaves?
Mugwort leaves are pungent and bitter in taste and warm in nature. They are associated with the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians. The main effects are warming the meridians to stop bleeding, dispelling cold to relieve pain, and externally used to remove dampness and relieve itching. Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns, mainly divided into types such as damp-heat stagnation, cold-damp obstruction, and qi stagnation and blood stasis. If the early jaundice is characterized by obvious yellowing of the skin, reduced frequency of stools, and yellow urine, it generally belongs to the damp-heat stagnation type of jaundice. In this case, mugwort leaves should not be used for bathing. If the complexion is yellow and the color is dull and persistent, the child appears listless, the limbs are cold, the stools are loose, and the urine output is reduced, then it is categorized under the cold-damp obstruction type. This usually indicates weakness of the spleen and stomach, heavy dampness, and signs of cold. In such cases, bathing the baby with mugwort leaves can be beneficial as it warms the meridians and dispels cold. Therefore, the use of mugwort leaf baths for newborn jaundice should be based on the specific condition of the baby, and only those with cold-damp type jaundice should use mugwort leaf baths.
The harms of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns. It can be a manifestation of normal development in newborns, or it could be a symptom of certain diseases. Generally, neonatal jaundice is classified into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Babies with physiological jaundice are generally in good condition and the jaundice will quickly recede, having little impact on the baby and posing no harm. However, if the jaundice appears early, progresses quickly, is severe, or lasts for a long time, it is then considered whether it might be pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice could be an external manifestation of some diseases, such as severe infections, where intense jaundice might be the only symptom. If such cases of jaundice are not promptly intervened and treated, they could lead to kernicterus, potentially affecting future cognitive and auditory function, or even causing significant developmental delays in motor skills. Additionally, if there is abnormal liver and gallbladder function and elevated jaundice is not treated in time, severe cases can lead to liver failure. Significant liver failure can be life-threatening. Therefore, for pathological jaundice, timely medical intervention and treatment are recommended.
Symptoms of high neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in newborns. It can be a symptom of the normal developmental process in newborns, or it can be a manifestation of certain diseases. Generally, jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Physiological jaundice usually does not appear too early, does not progress too quickly, and is not too severe. The jaundice slowly subsides after peaking, and generally lasts no more than two weeks. If it is pathological jaundice, the degree of jaundice is relatively severe, and its main manifestation is that the skin turns noticeably yellow, possibly spreading to the limbs, yellowing of the whole body, and obvious yellowing of the palms and soles. Additionally, there may be other uncomfortable symptoms, such as fever or drowsiness, refusal to nurse, vomiting, obvious abdominal distension, or a significant increase in stool, etc. In such cases, pathological jaundice should be considered, and medical attention should be sought promptly.
Rickets is a deficiency in vitamin D.
Rickets, also known as vitamin D deficiency rickets, is primarily caused by insufficient vitamin D leading to abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. This results in the failure of calcium and phosphorus to deposit normally in the bone-forming areas, leading to incomplete mineralization of the bone tissues of the growth muscles, manifesting as a chronic nutritional disease characterized by skeletal abnormalities. The main causes are improper feeding methods, the addition of cod liver oil, residential environment, outdoor activity time, repeated respiratory infections, maternal calcium deficiency during pregnancy, and the season of birth. It is generally recommended for mothers to supplement appropriate amounts of vitamin D and calcium during pregnancy. After birth, babies should regularly supplement vitamin D and receive adequate sunlight, as insufficient ultraviolet light is one of the main causes of vitamin D deficiency. Lack of outdoor activities, primarily staying indoors, or having ultraviolet light blocked by dust, smoke, clothing, or ordinary glass can all lead to vitamin D absorption problems. Therefore, it is advised for children to have appropriate outdoor activities to prevent the onset of rickets.
Rickets is a deficiency in what element?
Rickets is a chronic, systemic nutritional disease closely related to lifestyle, caused by a deficiency of vitamin D levels leading to abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. This condition prevents calcium salts from being properly deposited in the growing parts of the skeleton, resulting in incomplete mineralization of the bone tissue during growth and characteristic skeletal deformities. The primary biochemical manifestation of the disease is a decrease in vitamin D levels in the body, particularly a significant reduction in 125-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Gradually, there may also be a decrease in calcium and phosphorus levels in the body and sometimes abnormal parathyroid hormone activity. Generally, rickets is primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, so it is important to timely supplement vitamin D, take appropriate sunbaths, and supplement with calcium as needed based on the situation.
What should I do if the neonatal jaundice does not go away?
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in the neonatal period. It can be a physiological manifestation in the normal development process of newborns, but it can also be an external symptom of certain diseases. Generally, the duration of normal physiological jaundice should not exceed two weeks for full-term infants and four weeks for premature infants. If the jaundice lasts too long, recurs, or is severe, pathological jaundice should be considered. Pathological jaundice might be a manifestation of certain diseases, with bilirubin levels being one of the indicators. If it is accompanied by other discomforts, such as significant vomiting, abdominal distension or diarrhea, drowsiness, refusal to feed, or fever, this indicates a more serious condition. If the jaundice does not subside, it is recommended to seek prompt medical attention at a hospital. If there is a clear pathological cause, intervention and possibly inpatient treatment are required.
Reasons for the slow resolution of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is one of the common symptoms in the newborn period. It can be a normal physiological phenomenon or a manifestation of certain diseases. Jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice. Generally, physiological jaundice in full-term infants lasts no more than two weeks, while in preterm infants, it lasts no more than four weeks. If the resolution of jaundice is delayed, it indicates pathological jaundice. Pathological jaundice generally requires investigation of the cause. If the cause is not eliminated, the jaundice will persist and thus resolve slowly. For instance, if an infection is uncontrolled, or there is hemolysis, reduced thyroid function, or genetic diseases such as G6PD enzyme deficiency, abnormalities in the red blood cell membrane, or problems with the liver or bile ducts, these could all lead to slow resolution of jaundice. Therefore, if the jaundice lasts for an extended period, it is generally advisable to visit a hospital for relevant tests.