Patient's question:
How to deal with a 20-month-old child who has developed picky eating? 20 days ago, he was eating by himself, finishing a bowl per meal. Now he only eats half a bowl when tricked, and often spits out the food. He also doesn't have much appetite for other foods. He's become thinner now, and we feel heartbroken, not knowing what to do. Additionally, he gets skin allergies and even vomits when eating fish. Is there any solution?Doctor's answer:
Anorexia refers to a prolonged period in children where they show no appetite for food, poor appetite, and in severe cases, refusal to eat. If this persists without any external or internal illness, it is a common condition. In recent years, this disease has been increasing, especially in urban areas. The incidence rate is higher among only children, with children aged 1 to 6 being particularly affected. In modern medicine, "neurotic anorexia" is similar to this condition. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that children's spleen and stomach functions are weak. If they overeat cold, greasy, or fatty foods, or eat at irregular times with no set meal schedule, these reasons can all damage the spleen and stomach, leading to anorexia. Additionally, some children may have insufficient innate constitution, weak spleen and stomach, or prolonged illness that damages their spleen and stomach function, resulting in low digestive and absorption capabilities, which can also cause anorexia. Common symptoms include no desire to eat, food seeming tasteless, refusal to take food, and visible lack of glow in the face, thin body shape.