Patient's question:
My child is 100 days old, and their weight is only 7.3 pounds. They won't lift their eyes now. During my pregnancy, I had intermittent high blood sugar and excessive amniotic fluid, which later improved. In the late stages of pregnancy, the fetal heart monitoring was poor, and I often had to breathe oxygen. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the neck once, the placenta was small, and the amniotic fluid decreased. The child's growth was restricted. At full term, they were delivered via cesarean section weighing 4.7 pounds. I would like to consult on what to do about the slow weight gain. I am formula-feeding, and they have tried several types of formula and are now drinking elemental formula.Previous treatment and outcomes: No treatment has been administered.
Desired assistance: I don’t know what to do about the slow weight gain. Does the child have any health issues, and how can I help them catch up to normal development?
If further examination is needed, which department should I consult?
Doctor's answer:
The child is currently three months old and not meeting all weight standards. During pregnancy, the child experienced intrauterine growth restriction. Additionally, the child is currently unable to lift its eyes, which means a visit to the pediatric neurology department for a thorough examination is necessary. This is to assess how the child's brain development is progressing. The child's lack of weight gain is generally related to milk intake, so it is essential to determine a formula that suits the child. Therefore, it is necessary to visit the pediatric neurology department as soon as possible to have an initial examination.