DuDu (a pseudonym), a 4-year-old boy, has always been very thin and small. When I came to the hospital, my height was 100.5cm and my weight was 15.2kg. Parents described that my child's height increased by 4-5 cm every year. Physical assessment shows that Dudu's height is below average and his weight is below normal. "Children usually have a bad appetite, a small appetite, are often sick, and are prone to fever and cough. The tongue coating is often white and thick, and there is a sour smell in the mouth. " Dongdong's mother said.

Because Dudu is young, parents seek Chinese medicine treatment, hoping to adjust their physique, make their children less sick, and at the same time promote their appetite and make their height and weight grow faster.

"After the physical examination, I found that the child's face was sallow, his hair was thin and yellow, his body was thin, his abdomen was full and he liked to press, his hands and feet were not warm, his tongue was reddish and his fur was white and thick. It belongs to kidney-yang deficiency and spleen-deficiency syndrome. Combined with the child's medical history, the treatment is to strengthen the spleen and help the transport, warm the kidney and help the yang. " Li Ling, director of the Children's Health Care Center of the Children's Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, said that this situation can be treated by oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine based on syndrome differentiation, external application of growth patch and massage.

"The child's appetite is obviously better than before, and sleeping at night is also practical. During this time, except for a runny nose, there was no high fever and cough. " What makes Dongdong's mother happy is that in the past three months, the child has gained 1kg in weight and 1.6cm in height. Relatives and friends all say that the child's face is ruddy.

Li Ling said that it is not uncommon for children like DuDu to come to TCM clinics, especially those who are short and light. Many of them have achieved the goal of "keeping fit and catching up with growth" through our TCM conditioning.

Can TCM conditioning "catch up with growth"?

Generally speaking, Chinese medicine theory holds that "kidney is the root of growth and spleen is the foundation of growth", so the function of spleen and kidney is more important for children's growth and development. Li Ling said, according to the child's condition, first of all, the treatment based on syndrome differentiation should focus on invigorating the spleen and tonifying the kidney, which can be achieved by oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine, external use of growth patch and massage.

Spring is the season when everything grows, and the vernal equinox season is the time when the yang in nature is produced. The yang of the human body also conforms to nature and has the characteristics of hair growing upwards and outwards. "The height of the child is also growing by taking advantage of nature and the yang in the body, and it has begun to accelerate its growth. Therefore, we must seize this golden season of growth and promote the growth of small people. " Li Ling said.

It is reported that around the theme of "keeping fit and catching up with growth", the Chinese medicine children's health clinic of Shandong University's Children's Health Department (Jinan Children's Hospital) has launched the "Chinese medicine promotion package" project, including children's appropriate technology to promote massage and innovative application of "Chunsheng Sticker".

Advocating massage therapy can dredge meridians and regulate qi activity. Chunsheng Plaster is applied to the corresponding acupoints with pure Chinese medicine. Through the dual conditioning effects of medicine and acupoints, it stimulates the qi of meridians, tonifies the kidney and strengthens the spleen, strengthens the body, and realizes the popularization in spring. In terms of time, Li Ling suggested that late March to early May is appropriate.

Chinese medicine promotion package is mainly suitable for the following children:

1. Height growth is slow; Babies below the average height of the same age; (Pay attention to exclude short stature, growth hormone deficiency and other diseases);

2. Babies with weak spleen and stomach functions, such as babies with malnutrition, anorexia and easy food accumulation;

3. Babies with poor resistance;

4. Babies who can't sleep well at night.

The specific application of TCM promotion package;

Massage therapy: massage 1-2 times a week for 7 weeks.

Children's growth patch: apply it twice a week for 7 weeks.

In addition, parents should also pay attention to the following aspects:

1. Balanced nutrition. Advocate exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and add complementary food correctly and regularly. After the age of 3, mix meat and vegetables reasonably, eat a balanced diet and eat more foods rich in calcium.

2. Reasonable exercise. Exercise can promote blood circulation, accelerate metabolism and promote bone development. Appropriate outdoor activities can make children get enough light, promote the synthesis of vitamin D, and be beneficial to the absorption of calcium. You can jump rope, high jump, basketball, badminton and touch appropriately.

3. Get enough sleep. Growth hormone is secreted vigorously during sleep, especially from 9: 00 pm to 1 pm; From 5: 00 to 7: 00 in the morning, in order not to miss the golden period of growth hormone secretion, we must ensure the children's sleep time and quality.

4. Happy mood. Mental and psychological stress will also affect children's growth. Therefore, some children with depression and anxiety and bad family atmosphere will be shorter in height.