Patient's question:
My son is 33 days old now. His head circumference is only 35 cm, which is 4 cm larger than at birth. The anterior fontanel is also only 2 fingers wide. At one month, his weight increased by a little over 2 jin, and his height grew by a little over 2 cm. The hearing screening was normal, and his appetite is around 600 ml. He sleeps for about 15 hours a day. However, he often spits up, not forcefully. Currently, everything seems normal except for the spitting up.I took excessive calcium supplements during pregnancy. Could this have caused my son to have microcephaly? I'm very worried! Emergency help, what should I do? Is there any way to reverse this?
First follow-up question: Thank you, li1106. These two
Doctor's answer:
Hello, vomiting is the most common symptom of the digestive system. Vomiting includes both regurgitation and spitting up. If a small amount of milk flows back into the mouth, it is considered spitting up, not vomiting, and does not affect development. It usually disappears around 6 months of age as the child grows older.Newborns have small stomachs that are horizontal, and their esophagus is relatively loose. The cardiac sphincter, which connects to the esophagus, is underdeveloped, while the nervous regulation function of intestinal motility, as well as the ability to secrete gastric acid and proteases, are also poor. This makes newborns, especially premature infants, prone to vomiting.
The most common cause of vomiting is improper feeding, accounting for about 1/4 of all newborn vomiting cases. This is mainly due to overfeeding, incorrect concentration, unsuitable milk temperature, small nipple holes, lying flat immediately after feeding, excessive or early movement of the infant, and severe crying, among other factors.
Mild vomiting and spitting up have little impact on the body. Repeated vomiting can lead to disturbances in water and electrolyte and acid-base balance, manifesting as dehydration, seizures, and coma. Severe vomiting can cause vomit to be inhaled into the trachea, leading to aspiration pneumonia, blocking the airways of weak or premature infants, and causing suffocation and death.
If a child vomits, parents should first check the feeding method and correct any improper practices promptly. When feeding or giving water, the infant should be held upright, placed on the parent's shoulder, and gently patted on the back to burp and expel air from the stomach before putting them down. For at least half an hour after feeding, the infant should be moved as little as possible, and any diaper changes or other procedures should be performed gently. Lying on the right side or elevating the head of the bed can help food move from the stomach into the intestines and reduce the risk of vomit being inhaled into the trachea. While adjusting the feeding method, it is also important to observe the infant's vomiting.