Question

“My child is 2 weeks old, and recently they took cold medicine and an anti-inflammatory syrup due to a cold. Now, their urine has turned milky and cloudy, resembling thin milk. What could be the reason? Thank you, doctor!!”

Answer

“When a child eats green leafy vegetables like spinach and bok choy, or fruits like bananas, oranges, and persimmons, these foods contain a high amount of oxalates and carbonates. This increases the amount of salt in the urine. When these substances are excreted in the urine and become cold, crystals of carbonates or phosphates can form, making the urine cloudy. Usually, this condition will resolve on its own if the child is given plenty of water to drink or some vitamin C, and the milky urine will disappear after a few days.”