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If a newborn falls ill shortly after birth, it is solely due to two conditions: Fetal Weakness (Tai Ruo) and Fetal Toxin (Tai Du). Fetal Weakness refers to the insufficiency of Qi inherited from the parents. The fetus originates from the parents; although they form one entity, they are divided into two, so the nature of inheritance must be carefully examined. For instance, the Lung governs the skin and hair; if Lung Qi is insufficient, the skin will be thin and sensitive to cold, and hair will not grow. The Heart governs the blood vessels; if Heart Qi is insufficient, blood will fail to nourish the complexion, resulting in a lackluster face. The Spleen governs muscles; if Spleen Qi is insufficient, muscles will not develop, and the limbs will appear emaciated as if shaved. The Liver governs tendons; if Liver Qi is insufficient, tendons will fail to bind the bones, leading to joint dysfunction. The Kidney governs bones; if Kidney Qi is insufficient, bone joints will be weak, and walking may be delayed for a long time. These are all diseases of fetal endowment, which should be diagnosed according to the Qi of the respective Zang organs. It is said that if the father is strong and the mother weak, the daughter born will surely be frail; if the father is weak and the mother strong, the son born will surely be weak. Therefore, if an infant presents with broken skull sutures, lethargy, timidity, neck weakness causing head tilting, flaccid limbs, irregular tooth eruption, black hair failing to darken, and the need for assistance to sit, stand, or walk, these are all due to insufficient fetal endowment.

Fetal Toxin refers to the toxin of the Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) of the Gate of Life (Ming Men). The Gate of Life stores essence in men and connects to the uterus (Bao Gong) in women, known in Daoism as the Lower Dantian. The essence of Yin and Yang combines miraculously to condense; pure essence dissolves to form the embryo, but excessive fire accumulates to become Fetal Toxin. Generally, human nature is quiet at birth, which is the nature of Heaven; reacting to external stimuli and moving is human desire. After conception, the mother's influence is particularly complex. Any excessive thinking generates fire in the Heart; anger generates fire in the Liver; sorrow causes fire to stagnate in the Lungs; sweet and fatty foods cause fire to accumulate in the Spleen; and sexual indulgence causes fire to arise in the Kidneys. These fires of the five desires hide in the maternal womb, eventually knotting together to form Fetal Toxin. Manifestations of Fetal Toxin include insect-like scabies, flowing erysipelas (Liu Dan), damp sores, carbuncles and furuncles, tubercles, double tongue (Chong She), wooden tongue (Mu She), thrush (E Kou), mouth ulcers, as well as Fetal Heat, Fetal Cold, Fetal Convulsions, and Fetal Jaundice. Furthermore, conditions such as umbilical tetanus at seven days, phlegm-cough at one hundred days, true convulsions at six months, and erysipelas at one year are examples of toxins that are extremely severe and difficult to resolve.

Fetal Cold occurs when the mother suffers from febrile disease during pregnancy, takes excessive cold-natured medicines, or consumes too much raw and cold food, transmitting this condition to the fetus. After birth, the infant sleeps excessively and drowsily, occasionally passing white loose stools after breastfeeding; this is caused by internal factors. Alternatively, within the first hundred days, the infant may suddenly present with chills, cold mouth, curled limbs that cannot extend, abdominal pain, and incessant crying; this results from catching cold after birth. Treatment should employ warming and dispersing methods; Zhimi Qiqi Tang (Pinellia Seven-Qi Decoction) and Zhuwei Gao (Stomach-Assisting Paste) are recommended.

Fetal Heat arises when the mother craves spicy, hot, and roasted foods during pregnancy, or fails to clear heat and resolve exterior symptoms when suffering from febrile disease, thereby affecting the fetus. After birth, the infant keeps eyes closed, has a red face, swollen eyelids, arches the body while making humming sounds, or cries with fright and irritability, accompanied by high fever throughout the body, yellow and scanty urine. This is Fetal Heat. If not treated early, it may lead to erysipelas tumors, sores, and boils. Jicheng Hangxie Dan (Integrated Hengxie Pill) should be administered slowly to resolve the heat, with cessation of symptoms as the goal.

Fetal Convulsions occur when the mother experiences fright or terror during pregnancy, transmitting the qi disturbance to the fetus. After birth, the infant frequently convulses, later developing fever, cyanotic face, limb spasms, locked jaw, rigid back and body, strabismus or closed eyes, excessive crying, and refusal to breastfeed. This is Fetal Epilepsy (Tai Xian), a refractory condition. If convulsions are triggered by fever, there is usually preceding crying; although termed a fetal disease, it is actually caused by external factors. Tianma Wan (Gastrodia Pill) is indicated, followed by Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) to nourish the source of transformation; long-term administration leads to self-healing.

Pan Chang Qi (Coiled Intestine Qi), known in pediatrics as "Nei Diao" (Internal Tugging), is caused by the accumulation and stagnation of fetal qi, obstructing Ying and Wei qi, leaving no organ free from constraint. Qi fails to ascend and descend, accumulating in the narrow space between stomach and intestines, striking the heart and causing pain, producing rumbling sounds like a cat vomiting foul matter, dry crying with open mouth, and cold extremities. Treatment requires dispersing stagnation and promoting qi circulation using Tiaozhong San (Regulate Middle Powder) and Muxiang Wan (Aucklandia Pill).

Umbilical Protrusion (Qi Tu) is caused by excessive crying in infants. Below the umbilicus lies the Qihai (Sea of Qi) acupoint. Incessant crying disturbs Qihai, causing qi to surge internally and protrude externally. The protrusion is shiny and swollen, resembling an inflated sac, and makes a slight sound when pinched. Crushed human hair ash and Alum (Ku Fan) in equal parts are ground into fine powder, applied to the protruding umbilicus, and covered with a plaster to resolve spontaneously.

Failure to Breastfeed refers to an infant suddenly refusing milk two or three days after birth. One must inquire into the cause and not mistake this for Umbilical Tetanus, which presents with excessive crying and mouth twitching; this condition lacks those signs and only involves refusal to feed. If vomiting occurs repeatedly after feeding, it may be due to unclean oral wiping allowing filth into the abdomen; Binglang, Muxiang, and Gancao decoction is suitable. If crying accompanies refusal to feed, it indicates abdominal pain, also a sign of Fetal Cold; Muxiang, Dingxiang, Ruxiang, Danggui, and Gancao decoction is appropriate. If none of these symptoms are present and the infant refuses milk without cause, inquire about the mother's milk supply. Excessive milk may cause indigestion ("Shang Ru"); moderate restriction will restore appetite soon. Insufficient milk suggests other pathologies requiring careful observation.

Fetal Jaundice presents as golden-yellow discoloration of the face, eyes, and whole body upon birth, possibly with closed eyes, high fever, constipation, urine resembling gardenia juice, skin sores, anorexia, and incessant crying. This results from damp-heat acquired in utero. Yinchin Dihuang Tang (Coptis and Rehmannia Decoction) should be taken by both mother and infant until jaundice subsides.

Fetal Obesity describes an infant born with thick flesh, reddish skin and face, prominent iris, and frequent phlegm production. After one month, the infant gradually becomes emaciated, experiences five-palm heat, difficulty defecating, and pinkish sclera. This is Fetal Obesity, caused by the mother consuming excessive sweet, fatty, damp-heat-inducing foods during pregnancy, which flow into the womb, resulting in pseudo-plumpness and blood-level heat stagnation. Jiadian Dalianqiao Yin (Modified Large Lonicera Decoction) is used, along with external bathing therapy.

Fetal Timidity (Tai Qie) presents as a lackluster appearance, thin muscles, white stool, pale body, dull eyes, frequent hiccupping, and belching. This condition arises either from late-life parenthood or multiple pregnancies. At conception, the primordial essence is already depleted, and post-conception qi and blood struggle to nourish the fetus, resulting in innate frailty. With proper postnatal care, one or two out of ten cases may survive. Tiaoyuan San (Restore Origin Powder) assists treatment.