Question
A four-month-old baby was found to be deficient in zinc during a trace element check at 40% of the time, with an index of 31.35, which is below the normal range of 58-100. The doctor prescribed zinc gluconate oral solution and amino acid vitamin B12, which were taken for ten days but showed no significant effect. Lately, the child cries while drinking milk, often has hiccups, and occasionally vomits thicker milk that appears to be mixed with phlegm. Since day 40, the baby has been reluctant to eat milk, now only consuming 600 milliliters per day, and recently it has dropped to 400 milliliters per day. How should this be handled?
Answer
A lack of appetite in infants may be due to zinc deficiency, anemia, or weak spleen and stomach. It is recommended to check for trace elements and anemia in the baby. When introducing complementary foods, they should be added one at a time, waiting for the baby to adapt to one food before adding another, to avoid providing multiple types of food on the same day. If the test results show that the baby does not have anemia or zinc deficiency, consider using medications that strengthen the spleen and stomach, such as Er Kang Ning, to improve appetite. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, a lack of appetite in infants may be due to poor digestion caused by weak spleen and stomach or indigestion. Pay attention to keeping the baby warm, avoiding catching a cold, and being mindful of diet, reducing spicy, greasy, cold, and seafood foods. Drink more water, eat more vegetables and fruits, and takeJianpi San (tonifying the spleen) medications.