Question

A one-year-old child stands at 85 centimeters tall and weighs 9 kilograms, with both height and weight below the normal level. The child was weaned early, having been breastfed for only two months, and previously consumed less formula milk. Additionally, due to family conflicts before the first year, the child frequently fell ill and was hospitalized. After turning one, the child was cared for by the grandmother, who found it difficult to encourage eating. The child prefers snacks, fruits, jelly, and puffed foods, especially instant noodles. How can the child’s height and weight be improved?

Answer

If a child experiences night sweats, it is important to immediately investigate the cause and handle it appropriately. For physiological night sweats, it is generally not recommended to use medication; instead, controlling lifestyle factors can help reduce high fever. For example, if excessive activity or consumption of high-calorie foods before bedtime leads to night sweats, it is advisable to limit both activity levels and food intake before sleep to promote better sleep and control obesity, which is beneficial for the child’s physical and mental development. Night sweats may also be caused by excessively high indoor temperatures or overly thick blankets. In winter, the room temperature should be maintained between 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, and the thickness of the blanket should be adjusted according to the weather. By paying attention to these common heat-producing factors and avoiding them, the frequency of night sweats can be reduced. Occasional night sweats do not need to be overly concerning; simply through daily diet, the lost fluids and salts can be replenished. For pathological night sweats, treatment should be targeted at the underlying cause. For example, if night sweats are caused by a deficiency in calcium, appropriate supplementation with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D should be considered, along with the following measures:

  1. Increase sun exposure, including outdoor activities and reflected light.
  2. Encourage breastfeeding