With the fifth wave of the pandemic not yet over, many children have also tested positive. One mother posted on a social media group saying her child had recovered from COVID-19, but their feet had turned yellow. She was concerned this was due to taking fever reducers and medication containing paracetamol to combat the virus, suggesting their liver might not have been able to break it down or that the medication had affected their liver. Paediatric specialist Dr. Chan Yan-wing stated that doctors prescribe safe doses of medication according to a child's weight, and that there are many factors that can cause a child's skin to turn yellow, including consuming foods like carrots or pumpkins.
When children are ill, parents naturally become very worried. One mother posted asking for advice, as her child's palms have turned yellow. She is concerned that this may be related to liver damage from taking medication containing paracetamol and fever-reducing drugs. Recently, there have also been reports of patients suffering acute liver failure after taking Lianhua Qingwen capsules, which has heightened concerns about the side effects of medications.
Parents of confirmed child cases are concerned about the medication's effect on children's livers.
Paediatric specialist Dr Chan Yan-wing stated that taking an excessive amount of paracetamol can indeed lead to liver failure, which is why doctors are very careful with prescribed dosages. Generally, doctors prescribe medication dosages according to a child's weight, not exceeding the amount the body can tolerate daily. Approximately 10 to 15 milligrams of paracetamol per kilogram can be tolerated. He also reminded parents that paracetamol concentrations vary between different medications, so dosages cannot be standardised. Parents must follow the doctor's instructions when administering medication to children.
Over-the-counter medicines containing paracetamol generally have dosage guidelines based on age. However, these are only general guidelines because "every 5-year-old child weighs differently." Dr. Chan points out that if a child takes an overdose of paracetamol, there is indeed a risk of liver failure, and it may even require a liver transplant. However, as long as parents give their children the dose prescribed by the doctor, such severe consequences rarely occur.
If parents still have doubts and are considering stopping the medication for their child, Dr Chan suggests that they should first discuss it with their doctor. They could even undergo blood and urine tests to determine the next course of treatment.
Furthermore, many parents might also opt for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments or to improve their children's health. Dr. Chan, however, advises against taking TCM and Western medicine at the same time, "Since Western doctors are not fully aware of the components in TCM, taking both together raises concerns about whether the dosages and effects might conflict or release excessive toxins."
There are many factors that can cause a child's skin to turn yellow.
For children, yellowing skin is a subjective observation. If parents want to know if their child's liver is having problems, Dr Chan suggests observing whether the whites of their eyes are yellow and if their urine is orange. If they have all of the above symptoms, they should seek medical attention at the hospital as soon as possible, as it could be hepatitis or liver failure.
Additionally, if children consume too much carotenoid, such as from carrots, pumpkins, or sweet potatoes, the carotenoid may be retained in the skin, causing a slightly yellowish complexion. However, this does not affect the whites of the eyes or the urine.
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