Hi, I really don't know what to do. I have switched doctors twice and still no answer. My middle child is 6 years old and will be 7 in July and still weighs only at 31 lbs. He has been at 28-31 for the past almost 4 years and at the same height. The problem is he eats a lot but cannot maintain the weight. Everytime he sits down to eat he runs to the bathroom sometimes even during dinner he will run to the bathroom to go poop only to come back and finish his food. He gets very excited when his legs hurt at night as he thinks that this is a sign of him growing. I don't know what to give him other than the flinstone vitamins. Doctors have said that they will continue to monitor his weight/growth but still I see no results. He is very petite and has hard time finding clothes that will fit his real tiny waist. Compared to his friends he is the tiniest and compared to his cousin whom is 1 month younger than him, he is a full head shorter than her. Both sides of our family are tall with the only exception of myself. My daughter is tall for her age and weighs at 52 lbs and just turned 8 in January. Any and all advice is truly appreciated, Thank you.
I would look into celiac disease. Running to the bathroom when eating is not right. You should find a pediatric gastroenterologist to have him tested. There is a great program for kids at the University of Chicago: www.celiacdisease.net
Google dumping syndrome. His body doesn't have time to absorb the nutrients from the food to benefit from it. Have you taken him to a pediatric gastroenterologist? They specialize in Stomach disorders.
My 3 yr old is below 5th percentile for height so she is being followed by an endocrinologist. Rightaway that doc did lab tests to rule out celiac disease and other deficiencies. Luckily my daughter's labs all came back normal, but she doesn't have frequent bowel movements like your son has. Sounds like he may have some kind of malabsorption syndrome. Thus this warrants further investigation either by a pediatric gastroenterologist or a pediatric endocrinologist as soon as possible.
Both my girls were labeled Failure to Thrive. Tara is almost 10 and weighs only 49 lbs, Elise is 6 1/2 and weighs 40 lbs.
Have you had the following tests done yet? Celiac sprue intestinal biopsy (blood test is not accurate 100%), cystic fibrosis, allergy blood and scratch tests, growth hormone tests, thyroid tests, liver and kidney tests, absorption tests.
If not insist on intensive testing. With him running to the bathroom it sounds like it's some intestinal issue, like a severe allergy or celiac disease.
i would definetly be thinking that this is a food/digestive issue.
I have a friend who is allergic to Gluten and has to go to the restroom almostright away after eating and she's had to change her diet. (also, shes very skinny ebcause the food runs right through her).
It could also be a wheat allergy.
I would check with the doctor about having these two tests done.
Our doctor referred us to an endocrinologist to be tested for growth hormone, but it sounds like your fellow maybe has digestive issues. I would actively seek a referral to various specialists. Also check his growth chart at the doctor's office. If it has flat-lined for several years and he's at the very low end of the spectrum (under 5%), you have a strong case to get a referral.
It sounds like for some reason, your son is not digesting or absorbing the food he eats. It could be food sensitivities. Check out www.elisaact.com It's a type of lab test (simple blood draw) that I do in my office that has helped many people with diarrhea as well as many other conditions. Call the lab and they will be able to suggest someone in your area that does the test. If you're in Northern Illinois, you're welcome to check out my website and give me a call. www.trilliumchiro.com
Best wishes,
E.
My daughter has celiac disease, she entered kindergarten at 26 pounds. She was diagnosed, we changed her diet and she doubled her weight in 1 year. I am not saying that this is the problem for sure, but please get it checked out. It is also sometimes hereditary so it is possible that others in your family have it you or the kids or other relatives. Please let me know if you have questions. We use pediatric GI's out of Loyola. Other allergies can cause problems as well.
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Barbara
Dear M.,
I agree with the poster who said this sounds like it might be something called Celiac disease, which is an intolerance to wheat and a wheat protein called gluten. If not, then it is some other digestive/metabolic disorder. I suggest that you go straight to Children's Memorial downtown. Just go to their website or call the Kids Doc 800 number and they will help you get the right appointment or appointments. In the meantime, start a food diary. Write down everything your child eats, the time he eats it, how it seems to make him feel, and when he goes to the bathroom. Look at his stool -- note the color and consistency for the doctors to evaluate. Also, make sure that he is getting a good multi-vitamin and maybe something like pediasure while you get this straightened out. Good luck!
You are right to be concerned. I have a friend who's daughter does the same thing and she has always been very small. They just found out she has a lot of food allergies and that's why she goes to the bathroom so much and doesn't grow. Now that they have eliminated all the bad foods she is starting to grow and put on some weight. Take your son to a natural doctor and they can test his blood for food allergies.
I would think that you should have already seen some type of specialist. you better get on the phone with your doctor and get a referral. you may need some type of genetic testing, or an endocrinologist. this is definitely not normal and you should not wait any longer.
Have him checked for celiac disease. Celiac is an allergy to wheat gluten, which is the wheat protein.
I am not going to make guesses about what your son's problem may be but, if your Dr is not taking your concerns seriously I would find a new Dr! I worry about my daughter being too thin who is 3 1/2 and weighs 30 lbs. Find a Dr who will do a full workup and send you to a specialist if necessary. Good luck!
Your son is not absorbing his nutrition, especially when he is going to the bathroom right when he eats. There may be a food allergy. He might have Irritable Bowel and if left alone too long it turns into Crohns Disease.
Flintstones are full of dyes, colors and not balance. It is technically a chemical formulation.
Chances are, he doesn't have enough healthy flora in his intestines, He most likely needs a more useable source of protein. There are so many things I can say, but in the past, I have written long dialogues and never hear back from a Mamasource person. If you want to know more, I would be very happy to work with you.
D. V
If your insurance allows you to go directly to a pediatric gastroenterologist I would take him there. If not, go back and see your primary care and plead your case, stating that "Everytime he sits down to eat he runs to the bathroom sometimes even during dinner he will run to the bathroom to go poop only to come back and finish his food." Read up on celiac disease and see if anything strikes you in regards to your son.
Runnig to the bathroom at a meal is NOT NORMAL! I think you have good reason to be concerned!
I would check with your insurance, and if you can by pass the ped, contact a pediatric doctor specializing in digestive disorders. Perhaps google and see if physicians/medical facilities come up. If not hopefully some of the other mammas have a good doctor they could recommend. But I agree with what you and PP wrote..don't stop with this until you get the info you need.
You can also go to ratemd.com and find info on doctors.
M.
Your not alone in the I have a son thats 10 years old and weighs 48lb he is only 47 inches tall. We have been to specialist and they all say the same thing he growning on his one path and staying in the low but nornmal range. My son eats but mostly fruit and dosen't like meat so we try evey thing So I understand your worries and feel your fusteration Wishing both you and your son a growth spert
P.
