Question
Over the past week, the child has been experiencing hiccups consistently, accompanied by rumbling sounds in the abdomen. In the past two days, abdominal pain has also appeared, and appetite has decreased. What could be the cause of this? How should we treat the hiccups? The child’s medical history includes a previous congenital heart surgery, and there is also a slight cough.
Answer
For infants, due to their incomplete maturity in physiological structure and digestive function, they are prone to diaphragmatic spasm when exposed to cold stimulation, which manifests as hiccups. In such situations, parents do not need to be overly worried. Firstly, you can try feeding the child warm water and continue to give them warm water. This helps alleviate the symptoms. Additionally, you can gently massage the child’s abdomen with your fingers. If possible, use a warm water bottle to warm the child’s abdomen while being careful to avoid burns.