Question

A 8-year-old child is underweight, and the parent inquires about how to improve the situation.

Answer

The 8-year-old child is experiencing loss of appetite and picky eating, which may be due to weak spleen and stomach or zinc deficiency. It is recommended to undergo a trace element test and adjust the diet and medication. In terms of diet, it is advisable to consume easily digestible and nutritious foods, avoid fried and dried snacks, and reduce the intake of carbonated drinks. In traditional Chinese medicine, medication can be adjusted according to the symptoms, such as using Feier Wan combined with Sijunzi Decoction for adjustment. Consider long-term continuous treatment and complement with hawthorn slices or digestion-promoting tablets to enhance digestion and strengthen the spleen.