Young woman teacher and little boy on private lesson

My five-year-old son doesn’t talk properly. When he was three, he started saying a few words such as ‘Ma’ and ‘Papa.’ But since then not much. However, he understands what we say and responds. Is this normal?
— Rima Das, Mumbai

Usually most children aged five years talk clearly, recite poems and tell stories. By now, your son should definitely be talking. I suggest you consult a pediatrician followed by an ENT surgeon who will check his auditory capabilities, because hearing and talking are interconnected. You could also consult a speech therapist.

My four-year-old daughter takes 10-15 minutes to reply to a question. She is mostly in her own world. Sometimes she doesn’t realise someone has spoken to her. Please advise.
— Shiva Kumar, Bangalore

If this happens once in a while, it could be that your daughter is concentrating on something else, and there is no cause for worry.
But if it is happening often, it isn’t normal. She could be experiencing difficulty in hearing, comprehension, focusing, etc. You need to observe her closely and note down her reactions. I recommend you consult a therapist who after detailed assessment will suggest treatment. Don’t ignore the issue. It needs to be addressed immediately.

Although my daughter is eight years of age, her baby teeth haven’t yet fallen fully. Is there cause for concern?
— Kyra Kopikar, Mumbai

Every child is different. Some children have delayed dentition. It is normal; you can expect them to fall within the next year. There is no cause for concern.

My ten-year-old daughter experiences white vaginal discharge, sometimes malodorous. Why?
— Esha Varma, Bangalore

Has your daughter attained menarche? If so, are her menstrual cycles regular? If there is any problem with her periods, consult a gynaecologist. The vaginal discharge could also be due to urinary tract infection. Since you say it’s malodorous, this is not normal vaginal discharge. Consult your paediatrician who may recommend a routine urine check to rule out urinary tract infection.

(Dr. Gauthami B. is a general physician at Ferticare Clinic, Bangalore)