Question: My daughter is 17 and has been sick for 11 months. Initially, she had chronic sore throats, swollen glands, blisters in her throat, nausea, fatigue, depression and ongoing low grade fever. She has been test seven times for strep and mono and come negative everytime. Her tonsils were removed five mon . . .

Answer: I think an infectious disease specialist is an excellent idea. She may be having one of the prolonged fever-of-unknown-origin (FUO) syndromes that are best evaluated and treated by a pediatric infectious disease specialist. I would not seek care by an adult infectious disease specialist because . . .

Ask an Expert: Mary Gottesman PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN, Children’s Health View full article

Is the size of my baby`s head normal?

Question: my baby was born 6 weeks early and weighed 1.2kg at birth. she also had apnea which lasted for about 6 hours and has not been able to gain much weight ever since. she is 13 months old now and weighs just 6.1kg. But i am most worried about her head size which is just 40cm. the doctor tells me it is a . . .

Answer: I have to fully agree with your health care provider. Your daughter’s weight and head circumference are very low for her age, even considering her premature birth. Is she meeting her developmental milestones, e.g., sitting, cooing, words such as ma-ma/da-da? If not, a visit to a pediatric neurologis . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarah Sauntry RN, MS, CPNP-PC, Children’s Health View full article

When to Request a Referral to a Ped GI MD?

Question: Our son is five and has struggled with GERD for most of his life. He took Prevacid as a baby and then when he was around a year old he seemed asymptomatic, so we discontinued it. When he was about 2 years old he developed severe asthma (to the point that he had to be LifeFlighted to the Children`s H . . .

Answer: In short, a pediatric GI consult may be a great benefit.

1. Possibly, another medication may better control symptoms.
2. A Ph probe (with or without anesthetic) may be helpful.
3.) An Upper GI may be useful in documenting whether or not there is damage to the esophagus . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarah Sauntry RN, MS, CPNP-PC, Children’s Health View full article

My Baby Boy Drinks Milk Only While Sleeping!!

Question: Hi :) how are u :)

I have a problem with my child, which makes me so depressed :( He is a baby boy.His age is 7 months and half,and his weight is 10 kgs.I give him Industrial Milk. The problem is that he doesn`t like to drink the milk , when he is awake, at all. Jusat when I put the nipple of t . . .

Answer: Initially, your question threw me off as I was not familiar with the term "industrial milk". From what I can find, it is a term used in the grading of milk products in the dairy industry. With rare exception, cow’s milk is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age. Is there ANY way that you ca . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarah Sauntry RN, MS, CPNP-PC, Children’s Health View full article

Is Her Stool Normal

Question: My 13 month old daughter has had very loose stools which are often very offensive in odour since december. They contain lots of undigested food parts and on a bad day this can occur up to 5 bowel movements. She isn`t loosing weight and is of normal/ average weight and height with a good appetite. Wh . . .

Answer:

In general, adequate weight gain is the hallmark of adequate food intake and digestion. That said, some things to consider: Many young children may eat more fruits, vegetables, and cereals, which may have high fiber. Could this be pa . . .

Ask an Expert: Sarah Sauntry RN, MS, CPNP-PC, Children’s Health View full article