Patient's question:
Girl baby, 7 months old, breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. At 3 months, a small wound was noticed near the anus, but it did not interfere with bowel movements. After introducing solid foods at 6 months, the baby went several days without a bowel movement, and the wound enlarged. Despite using laxatives multiple times, the stool was not hard, but the baby refused to defecate. It is possible that the wound would tear open during bowel movements, causing pain, so the baby avoids it. At night, the baby cries in bursts, as if straining to pass gas and irritating the wound. Several hospitals have been visited, and doctors recommend resolving the constipation first to heal the wound. They prescribed erythromycin ointment, but the baby still refuses to defecate. Probiotics have been given without success. Today, the wound and other areas around the anus appear slightly red, and there is fear of new wounds forming.Doctor's answer:
Redness around the anus and anal skin and mucosa is normal, but the child's perianal area may have anal fissures or wounds. This is mainly due to the use of formula feeding after artificial feeding, where the formula or rice is too hot, leading to dry stools. Additionally, the child drinks very little water, which contributes to the dry stools. It may be necessary to consider switching to a different type of formula that is less hot, such as Hi-Grow. It is recommended to take the child to a proctology department for a check-up, or for the second brother to examine the anal area closely to determine if it is an anal fissure or some other type of wound. The main goal is to maintain the child's bowel regularity, and probiotics such as Bifidus can be given orally.