兒童發燒分幾級 及早求醫唔拖得

孩子來到世上，第一次不舒服通常就是發燒，其實這是一種生病症狀，亦可能是寳寳接受免疫注射後的一種反應，發燒表示身體的免疫系統在正常地操作，以對抗外來病菌。發燒是身體發出的警號，寳寳發燒最常見原因是過濾性病毒引起的上呼吸道感染，不過父母也別掉以輕心。

發燒可大可小，除了是上呼吸道感染，亦有可能因為其他病毒或細菌而引發感染，例如中耳炎、腸胃炎、肺炎、尿道炎，甚至是腦膜炎等。

注射後發燒屬正常

一般而言，寳寳的正常體溫介乎36.4°至37.8°C，高出正常體溫便為發燒；39.1°至40.1°C則為高燒。不過量度身體不同部位時，也有些微的溫度差異，耳探的正常體溫為35.8°至38°C；腋探則是34.7°至37.3°C；而肛探是36.6°至38°C。家長應按探熱儀器說明書所列的正常體溫為準則。

若父母發現寶寶發燒，並表現得不舒服，可考慮按醫生的指示，餵寶寶服用退燒藥。
每次服藥須相隔4至6小時，記緊不應讓寶寶過量服用。最常用的退燒藥是撲熱息痛（Paracetamol），備有口服藥或肛塞藥。不過，若是初生寶寶，只有兩至三個月大，應盡量少用，以免影響肝功能。父母有一點要注意：切勿為了快速幫助子女退燒，同時或重複使用口服及肛塞退燒藥，此舉可令藥量過重，或會影響寶寶健康。此外，家長要避免讓寶寶服用含阿士匹靈的退燒藥，由於該藥的副作用較多，可能引發較罕見、可致命的雷氏綜合症（Reye’s syndrome）。

退燒藥無助治療感染

如想讓寶寶在生病時減輕痛苦，除了服藥，父母可在日常生活中配合，包括減少寳寳的衣服及保持室內空氣流通，皆可幫助散熱。另外，為寶寶補充適量的水分，讓其有充足休息，或是泡一個溫水浴，都可緩和發燒症狀。不少父母誤以為服用退燒藥便可以令孩子痊愈，其實退燒藥的作用只是令體溫暫時下降，讓小朋友比較舒服。退燒藥對治療感染沒有直接幫助。寳寳發燒，父母當然緊張，但未必需要即時求診。寳寳接受各種的免疫注射後若是發燒，通常會在兩、三天後復元，父母只需在這幾天悉心照顧寶寶，定時監測體溫便可以。但寳寳在沒有接受免疫注射的情況下發燒，那就表示寳寳可能生病。

大部分情況下，發燒非由嚴重疾病引致，但家長最好帶寶寶到診所求助，讓醫生診斷發燒原因。尤其是三個月或以下的嬰兒、有其他特別健康問題或免疫力較弱的孩子，病情可能會急速轉壞，父母更應盡早找醫生診治。如果寳寳在發燒之餘，同時出現抽搐、身上有紅疹、精神萎靡不振、不願吸吮或進食、持續發燒不退，或有脫水等症狀等，就不應再等，立即尋找醫生診治。

何慕清醫生
兒科專科醫生

資料來源: 都市日報
以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，
應向兒科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料

增高針有效嗎？

新學年剛開始，正值青春期的學生們，回到學校時總會發現有些同學過了一個暑假好像飆高了很多，往往會很好奇，到底有甚麼迅速長高的妙法？

　　
其實，青春期是孩子長高的黃金時期，女孩約於十至十一歲（即小學五至六年級），而男孩則約於十二至十三歲（即中一至中二）踏入青春期。孩子於青春期時平均每年可增高七至十厘米，而整個青春期階段可增高達二十五至三十厘米。

　　
值得一提，如果女孩在八歲前或男孩在九歲前已開始飆高或出現第二性徵，便是早熟。早熟的孩子一般會比同學特別高，但這只是短暫現象，因為他們的骨骼生長板會較快閉合，而最終成年身高可能會較矮。根據一個本地醫學研究顯示，成年男人的平均身高由一九九三年的一百六十九點五厘米升至二○○五年的一百七十點六厘米，可見人均高度有上升趨勢，相信這可能是受惠於社會愈來愈富裕，飲食更全面等方面。

　　
要知道孩子的發育進度是否屬於正常，家長應多加留意，如發現孩子每年長高不達五至六厘米、出現早熟情況等，便應帶同孩子尋求醫生意見，由醫生專業診斷及檢查，並對症下藥。

　　
至於是否需要注射增高針，即生長賀爾蒙，則按情況而定。據醫學研究報告顯示，生長賀爾蒙治療可用於患生長賀爾蒙缺乏症、出生小於胎齡、不明原因矮小及特納綜合症的孩子上；而把生長賀爾蒙注射到孩子體內，能刺激尚未閉合的骨骼生長板生長，從而改善其高度。生長賀爾蒙已被使用超過二十年，一般都有良好的治療效果。


兒科專科醫生 馮偉正

資料來源: http://hd.stheadline.com/news/columns/11/20160930/498366/
以上所提供的資訊僅作為教育及參考用途，如果你有任何醫療問題，
應向兒科醫生查詢，而不應單倚賴以上提供的資料

Questions parents are itching to ask (2)

Should your baby use medicated creams or ointments?

May parents are concerned about the side effects or steroid cream. These medicines are different from the steroids athletes take to build muscle. They go on the skin, and relieve itching and redness. The earlier you start applying these on to your baby, the shorter the course.


What are antihistamines?

They are the medicines people often take for allergies. Some people with eczema find that antihistamines relieve itching. Others do not think the medicines do any good. Many people with eczema find that itching is worst at night – so it’s hard to sleep. It is worth trying antihistamines if your baby is scratching a lot and unable to sleep well at night.


Can eczema be prevented?

Babies who have a parent, brother, or sister with eczema have a higher risk of getting it, too. In these babies, using moisturizing creams or ointments (starting right after birth) might help prevent eczema during the first year. But we don’t yet know if this also helps prevent eczema later on.


Can my child grow out of it?

About half of children with eczema grow out of it by the time they become adults.


Dr Ho Mo Ching
Paediatrician







Reference information: The Standard
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your Pediatrician for diagnosis and treatment.

Questions parents are itching to ask (1)

IN THE PAST 20 years of my pediatric practice, I have been asked the following questions many times: Does my baby have eczema? Will my baby develop eczema like me? Is the eczema due to food allergy? Is steroid cream safe? I’m worried about the side effects.

       
What is eczema?

It is very common skin condition that affects about 20 percent of children. It makes children’s skin dry and itchy. We do not know what exactly causes it. Eczema often happens in people who have allergies. It can also run in families.

You know your child has eczema if he has the following:


Dry skin, intense itching, redness and small bumps, he or she might be suffering from eczema and therefore you should seek advice from a pediatrician.
   
If you suspect your baby has eczema, check the front of the arms and legs, cheeks, or scalp. If you have an older child, look at the sides of the neck, the elbow creases, and the backs of the knees.

What are the tests for eczema?

There is no specific test for eczema. But for resistant eczema, we can look for allergens such as house dust mites or some food allergens, such as eggs or peanuts.


How can you help your child to feel better?

1) Use copious amount of unscented moisturizers to keep the skin well hydrated.
2) A regular daily bath with moisturizing body wash helps to get rid of the allergens.
3) Scratching must be avoided – babies will rub their faces against the caretaker’s clothing, older children will scratch their bodies.
4) Avoid being too hot or sweating too much, being in very dry air, sudden temperature changes, harsh soaps or cleaning products, perfumes, and wool or synthetic fabrics (such as polyester).

Dr Ho Mo Ching
Paediatrician


......cont'l

Reference information: The Standard
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your Pediatrician for diagnosis and treatment.