Prolonged Jaundice

My son (two-and-a-half months) was diagnosed with jaundice when he was one week old. A blood test and ultrasonograph of the abdomen showed everything normal except high levels of bilirubin one month ago. His weight gain, reflexes and other developments seem normal. But the yellow stain in his eyes and high levels of bilirubin worry me.

It may be a case of cholestasis in which formation or flow of bile is reduced to a great extent. It is not a disease, but a symptom of many problems. Cholestasis may develop due to sepsis, metabolic disease, and exposure to minimally toxic substances. A host of special blood tests and further investigations should be done. It will pin down the cause of this prolonged jaundice and lead to treatment. A child specialist should keep in touch with a gastroenetrologist while initiating treatment.

Breathing Problem

My daughter (5) has a breathing problem. The doctor says she has asthma and has advised her to use an inhaler for about four months. Does the use of an inhaler leave any harmful effects?

Use of an inhaler does not leave any harmful effects. As your daughter will grow into an adult, her severity of asthma will disappear. It may even disappear.

Red Rashes

My son (6 months) develops red rashes whenever he is exposed to the sun after an oil massage. Is sunbathing harmful for him?

It seems sunbathing is harmful for your son. In tropical countries like India, the sun is scorching and too much exposure can be harmful for babies since their skins are sensitive. As there is rash after applying oil, it is better to avoid oil massage. If you want to give oil massage, use a soap bath after each oil massage. You should give a light massage with very little oil as it helps in proper blood circulation. Too much massaging can choke the skin pores and lead to rashes.

Frequent Motions

My daughter (8 months) defecates frequently. What is the remedy?

In this age, babies try to put everything in the mouth and this leads to infections. Your baby may have an infection like giardiasis, a disease caused by a microorganism that resides in the intestine, or amoebiasis, also caused by a microorganism. Such conditions need to be treated with drugs like metronidazole for five to seven days. But take such drugs after consulting a child specialist.

Abdominal Pain

My son (4) complains of severe pain in the abdomen. What is wrong with him?

Your son may have been infested with worms. Usually, drugs cause worm expulsion through the stool. Sometimes, it takes a turn for the worse, especially when many worms cling to the wall of the intestinal tract, causing obstruction to the intestine.