Patient's question:
A baby who is over 70 days old has recently been uninterested in drinking milk. There are depressions on both sides of the forehead, and there is a ring of sparse hair. During the check-up, the doctor said the baby is calcium deficient and is currently taking supplements. But how long should the supplements be taken? How can we tell if the baby is still calcium deficient? Is the lack of interest in drinking milk due to zinc deficiency? Is it suitable for a baby who is over two months old to have a trace element test?Doctor's answer:
The child had a concave forehead more than 70 days ago, and there are a few patches of thin hair. A careful examination suggests calcium deficiency. What you mentioned about the thin hair is medically known as "" (crown baldness), which is caused by calcium deficiency. The best way to supplement calcium is through diet, such as eating more eggs, meat, and milk (temporary avoidance for the first 2 months). It can also be supplemented with specialized calcium supplements. Calcium supplementation is a gradual process, and it will not recover quickly in a short time. Personally, I recommend waiting until the child is a bit older before conducting a thorough examination. Is the baby breastfed or formula-fed?