Question
An 11-month-old boy frequently bites the nipple and rubs his ears. What could be the cause, and is it related to nutritional deficiencies?
Answer
Biting the nipple and rubbing the ears in infants may be due to a deficiency of trace elements, especially zinc. This could be caused by inadequate absorption or excessive excretion during the fetal stage. Infants with zinc deficiency may also exhibit symptoms such as picky eating, anorexia, irritability, short sleep duration at night, night terrors, and hyperactivity.