Kaohsiung pediatricians warn of rising 'back-to-school syndrome' cases; doctor uses AI comics to advise students.

Pediatricians in Kaohsiung are observing a rise in children experiencing "back-to-school syndrome" as the new academic year begins. This condition manifests as significant difficulties in adapting physically, mentally, and behaviorally to the return to school after the summer vacation.

Dr. Xiao Yu-chao from Ruan General Hospital noted that common summer ailments like gastroenteritis and enterovirus infections are being overshadowed by a higher prevalence of influenza and COVID-19 among child patients this year. Alongside these, he highlighted the growing concern of "back-to-school syndrome," characterized by sleep problems, complaints of headaches, difficulty waking up, and daytime sleepiness. Digestive issues such as loss of appetite, stomachaches, diarrhea, or constipation are also reported, along with emotional changes like increased crying, low energy, or excessive gaming.

Dr. Xiao explained that children often exhibit resistance to returning to school through physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches. He also observed an increase in children seeking weight management after the summer, often due to irregular sleep schedules, prolonged sitting, insufficient exercise, and unbalanced diets. He anticipates that a return to normal routines and increased activity levels after school starts will help most children return to a healthy weight.

To help children adjust, doctors recommend parents begin training them to resume normal routines about a week before school starts. This includes creating a shared schedule, discussing and addressing the child's worries, and working together to overcome challenges. If school refusal persists for several weeks, significantly impacts social interactions, or if physical discomfort arises on school days, seeking professional medical advice is advised. Dr. Xiao also utilizes AI-generated comics to educate children about healthy eating and exercise.