Question
A ten-month-old child has a white spot on their belly. During a recent physical examination at the county children’s hospital, the doctor noted that the spot seems to have slightly expanded since the last examination three months ago. The doctor suggested that the expansion of the spot might be due to a deficiency in an enzyme and believes it could be related to genetic factors. Although all health indicators, such as height, weight, and head circumference, were normal during the child’s nine-and-a-half-month health check-up, except for the white spot, the doctor raised concerns about an enzyme deficiency. However, the parents think it might be a mole. The spot looks somewhat dirty but is not offensive. When the child was nine months old, breastfeeding suddenly stopped, and since then, they have been eating fruits, rice porridge, rice, meat, and fish, supplemented with half milk powder. The child had a health check-up when they were less than four months old, and the doctor prescribed cod liver oil for one or two months each time. The child’s spirit, stool, and temperament are generally good. They would like to know what other symptoms an enzyme deficiency can cause besides adverse reactions.
Answer
An enzyme deficiency can lead to various adverse reactions, including indigestion, growth retardation, and skin problems. However, based on your description, the child’s health indicators are normal except for the white spot on their belly, which may not be a typical symptom of an enzyme deficiency. The expansion of the spot indeed requires further medical evaluation to determine its nature and cause. If the spot is indeed expanding and the doctor recommends more detailed checks, it is advisable to consult dermatology or genetic disease specialists for further diagnosis and treatment. Before determining the cause of the spot, continue to observe the child’s overall health status and make appropriate nutritional supplements under the guidance of a doctor.