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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.
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Symptoms of a baby's cold and fever
Infant colds and fevers are categorized as respiratory infections, typically caused by pathogens such as respiratory viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, and chlamydia. The initial symptoms usually manifest as varying degrees of fever. Subsequent general symptoms include appearing slightly less lively than usual, possibly accompanied by a reduced appetite, nausea, and even abdominal discomfort. The third category of symptoms affects the upper respiratory tract, commonly presenting as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and in some cases, coughing and excessive phlegm.
What are the symptoms of a cold in infants?
Symptoms of a cold in infants generally include less energy and spirit than usual and varying degrees of reduced appetite. Depending on the type of cold, other symptoms may differ. If the cold is caused by a respiratory virus infection, common symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, phlegm, and sometimes wheezing. Severe cases may experience shortness of breath. If it's a cold caused by a gastrointestinal virus infection, typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. The severity of the cold and the source of the infection can also lead to varying degrees of fever.
Will infant umbilical hernia gradually improve?
Umbilical hernias in infants are very likely to heal naturally, as more than 80% of infantile umbilical hernias will gradually reduce in size and possibly even close as the child grows older and their physique develops. Normally, it is only necessary to ensure that the child does not cry intensely for long periods, to promptly treat any digestive system disorders in the child to prevent increased abdominal pressure which can cause frequent protrusion of the hernia and affect its healing. Only a small portion of children require surgical treatment, usually those with a relatively large hernia ring diameter, especially those larger than 2 cm, and children over two years old who still have a very obvious umbilical hernia.
Can babies with colds eat eggs?
When infants catch a cold, it is mostly due to a viral infection, which reduces their intestinal digestive function and increases their intestinal sensitivity. Therefore, it is not advisable for them to eat eggs during this time. Firstly, eggs are one of the most common allergens for children, and their sensitivity increases during a cold, possibly triggering allergic symptoms in babies, including gastrointestinal symptoms, exacerbation of skin symptoms, and even respiratory symptoms. Secondly, eggs contain a relatively high amount of fat, which, if consumed during a cold, might cause the baby to experience vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, there is a certain risk involved, and caution is necessary.
Causes of neonatal jaundice
Neonatal jaundice is relatively common and its causes are usually related to the characteristics of neonatal bilirubin metabolism, which are mainly manifested in the following aspects: First, excessive production of bilirubin; second, poor ability of plasma albumin to bind bilirubin; third, poor ability of liver cells to process bilirubin; fourth, the enterohepatic circulation is more prevalent than in adults, thus making physiological jaundice more likely to occur. Furthermore, some children are affected by breastfeeding, with a portion of breastfed babies experiencing breast milk jaundice. Other factors include pathological reasons, such as viral infections common in hepatotropic viruses like cytomegalovirus, TORCH, etc.; jaundice can also occur following exposure to cold, which can lead to decreased resistance and bacterial infections; additionally, some children have jaundice due to genetic metabolic reasons.
How to relieve infant umbilical hernia
Infant umbilical hernia is caused by incomplete development of the abdominal wall at the navel, resulting in a protrusion at the umbilicus. To alleviate this, it is important to prevent the child from crying excessively and avoid gastrointestinal infections. Digestive issues should be treated promptly, as these conditions can increase abdominal pressure and make the protrusion at the umbilicus more pronounced. Other than these precautions, special treatment is generally not required. Typically, an umbilical hernia will narrow and may even close naturally as the child ages. About 80% of children see improvement by the age of two without needing treatment. However, if the hernia has not closed by two years of age, or if the diameter of the hernia ring is greater than 2 centimeters, surgery may be required to resolve it.
Can infant umbilical hernia be cured?
Infant umbilical hernia is caused due to the weak abdominal wall around the navel and inadequate prenatal development. About 80% of infant umbilical hernias will gradually decrease and close as the child grows older and their physique develops. During this period, it is sufficient to avoid increased abdominal pressure, typically by preventing prolonged and intense crying in the child, and by actively treating gastrointestinal diseases that increase gas and abdominal pressure. Previously, children were often treated using umbilical hernia belts; however, there is now scientific evidence showing these are ineffective. Conversely, improper use of an umbilical hernia belt can cause damage to the child's abdominal skin. If the child's hernia has not healed by age two, or if the hernia ring is larger than 2 cm in diameter, surgical treatment may be necessary.
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.