Question
A 6-year-old boy appears to be like a 4-year-old in height, is thin, has a picky diet, is irritable, has a poor appetite, and eats very little even when he is hungry. He has never received treatment, and his parents have given him zinc supplements and high-protein, multi-enzyme tablets. Do I need to seek medical attention? Which department should I consult? What are the reasons? How should it be treated?
Answer
The child’s height has not increased with age, and picky eating may affect nutrient intake, thereby affecting normal growth and development. It is recommended that parents take their child to a pediatrician for a follow-up examination, perform routine blood tests, measure height and weight in detail, and compare them with standard height and weight calculations to determine the extent of the child’s growth deviation. Additionally, it is important to adjust the child’s dietary habits, use medications that promote digestion and appetite, and educate the child to gradually break the habit of picky eating.