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Pediatric "Bian Zheng" (Developmental Changes and Steam-like Phenomena). "Bian" refers to the transformation of emotions and intelligence, while "Zheng" refers to the steaming/warming of blood vessels. Generally, every thirty-two days constitutes one cycle of "Bian". Upon completion of each "Bian", the child's emotional and intellectual state exhibits changes (advances).

The *Quan Ying Fang Lun* (Treatise on Infant Formulas) states: Bian Zheng serves to nourish Qi and Blood. "Bian" manifests as the rising of Qi, and "Zheng" manifests as fever. In mild cases, there is body heat, spontaneous fright, cold ears and buttocks (Kao), slight sweating, and white blisters forming on the lips; this resolves in three days. In severe cases, there are alternating chills and fever, chaotic pulse, abdominal pain with crying, inability to nurse or eat, and vomiting immediately after eating; this resolves in five to seven days. During the period of Bian Zheng, one should avoid startling or disturbing the child. If there is slight fever and fright during this time, treatment, moxibustion, or acupuncture must be strictly avoided; one should only observe carefully. If the symptoms persist for a long time, administer a small amount of Zi Wan (Purple Pill) to induce mild purgation; stop when the fever subsides. If, during Bian Zheng, an epidemic warm disease (Shi Xing Wen Bing) is superimposed, or if the illness is not due to Bian Zheng but rather an epidemic disease, the symptoms are similar. However, in these cases, both the ears and the buttocks are hot throughout, and there are no white blisters on the lips. One should first administer Hei San (Black Powder) to induce sweating, and apply warm powder to the skin after sweating; the condition improves when the fever subsides. If it still does not resolve, then administer Zi Wan (Purple Pill) for mild purgation. Since infants have congenital deficiency, this situation is inevitable, and medication may be omitted. I have seen cases where infants with fever and phlegm during Bian Zheng were given Bao Long Wan (Dragon Embracing Pill), leading to fatal outcomes. If there is no fever or steaming, and no obvious symptoms, yet development proceeds secretly, it is because the infant's constitutional Qi is robust.

Pediatric Fetal Syndromes refer to Fetal Heat, Fetal Cold, Fetal Jaundice, Fetal Obesity, and Fetal Weakness.
Fetal Heat: The newborn has a reddish hue to the skin. Within ten days, the eyes remain closed, the face is red, the eyelids are swollen, and the infant cries, calls out, shows signs of fright and irritability, has high fever, yellow urine, yellow stool, and urgently desires milk. This results from heat acquired in the womb and the accumulation of rich/greasy foods in the mother. It is suitable to use formulas like Qing Wei San (Stomach-Clearing Powder).
Fetal Cold: The newborn has a pale complexion, a low and quiet cry, or curled/flexed hands and feet, or clenched jaws that cannot open. This is due to the mother's deficient and cold constitution, or the mother consuming excessive raw/cold foods, or contracting cold pathogens during pregnancy. It is suitable to use formulas like Wu Wei Yi Gong San (Five-Ingredient Extraordinary Efficacy Powder).
Fetal Jaundice: Both the body and eyes are yellow, urination is difficult and scanty, the infant refuses milk and cries, or has abdominal distension and diarrhea. This results from the mother consuming excessive roasted, fried, and spicy foods during pregnancy, leading to damp-heat generation. It is suitable to use formulas like Xie Huang San (Draining-Yellow Powder).
Fetal Obesity: The muscles are thick and robust, the eyeballs appear pinkish-red. After one month, the infant gradually becomes thin, experiences heat in the palms, soles, and chest (Wu Xin Fan Re), has difficulty with bowel movements, and drools from the mouth corners. This is caused by receiving stomach heat from the mother. The nursing mother should take Da Lian Qiao Tang (Large Forsythia Decoction), and the infant should drink a small amount to promote unblocking and draining.
Fetal Weakness: The face lacks luster and vitality, the body is emaciated and thin, the skin lacks color, the stool resembles clear water, and the infant frequently gasps and hiccups. If caused by the father's insufficient Qi, use Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill). If caused by the mother's insufficient Qi, use Ba Zhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction). Both mother and infant should take them together.
In recent times, newborns are generally given Hua Du Dan (Toxin-Dissolving Pill), along with herbs such as Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn - note: banned/substituted in modern practice), Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), and Zhu Sha (Cinnabar). Little do they know that these are only suitable for infants whose bodies and faces are entirely red and who have a fetal constitution prone to heat-toxins. If the body and face are white, indicating a deficient-cold fetal constitution with little inherent toxin, administering these drugs will instead damage the newly generated Qi, often leading to premature death. Instead, one should use three walnuts (with skin) ground into a fine paste, three olive pits charred until carbonized but retaining their nature, three fen of Ming Xiong Huang (Realgar) finely ground and purified by water flotation, mixed with concentrated decoction of Gan Cao (Licorice Root) and several spoons of raw white honey. Grind uniformly, strain off dregs, and administer warm doses occasionally to draw out toxins from the Kidney system. I have observed that infants taking this remedy rarely develop smallpox, or if they do, the eruption is sparse, without the harm of bitter-cold herbs damaging the Stomach. How can one indiscriminately administer toxin-dissolving agents without distinguishing between deficiency/excess and cold/heat?