Patient's question:
My child is 8 months old. In the past month, they have been particularly prone to crying at night. They fall asleep but start crying soon after. Multiple intravenous injections of calcium and vitamin D have been administered without significant improvement. Could zinc deficiency also cause these symptoms? What should I do?Doctor's answer:
Hello, baby night crying coping methodsSome small sons suddenly cry non-stop during nighttime sleep, causing young parents to be panicked and confused. Instead of rushing to the hospital immediately, it's better to set a plan and observe carefully to identify the cause. The most common non-pathological reasons for infant night crying include hunger, thirst, urinary retention or wet diapers, extreme cold or heat, tight or uncomfortable clothing, mosquito bites, sharp objects irritating the skin, or poor sleeping posture, which may cause limb pain, numbness, or difficulty breathing. Once these causes are identified and promptly addressed, the child can fall back asleep peacefully.
Additionally, certain diseases in infants can also lead to sleep disturbances. The most common ones include:
(1) Rickets: Infants with this condition often sweat excessively, are restless, easily startled, and frequently cry non-stop at night. In such cases, calcium and vitamin D supplements should be given under a doctor's guidance. Encourage outdoor activities to expose the child to sunlight's ultraviolet rays, and provide foods rich in vitamin D, such as egg yolks and animal liver.
(2) Intestinal spasm: If an infant suddenly cries, struggles, rolls around, appears pale, resists abdominal touch, and experiences intermittent crying with no abdominal distension or palpable masses, and without symptoms like vomiting, fever, or diarrhea, it may indicate intestinal spasm. Gentle abdominal massage can help, and in severe cases, belladonna oral drops may be administered to relieve the spasm. It's important to keep the abdomen warm and avoid cold or raw foods. If the infant has these intermittent abdominal pains accompanied by vomiting and jam-like stools, or if a mass is palpable in the abdomen, it's crucial not to delay treatment and seek immediate medical attention.