Growth issues in children (frustrating UPDATE on page 2)

[poohandwendy]

Hi all,

My 6 yo niece just went for a well visit and not only did not grown last year at all, but lost 1 lb. I am really concerned about her health and have been for a while because she really is very very small for her age and looks pale. (btw, I have pale skin, she looks sickly)

She has always been small, but sheesh, she still wears size 24 month (yes, toddler size) shirts and size 4T pants that are loose on her that my sister has to roll down the waist to get them to stay up.

My niece is a very picky eater and eats very little. She has been having trouble with hives and her feet swelling. My sister told me that the pediatrician is looking into food allergies, but I cannot find any info about a connection between failure to grow and allergies.

Anyone have a child who has had growth problems? It is getting to the point where this is a real health issue for her. MY SIL and I suspect this is more related to her malnourished diet, particularly her lack of protein in her diet.

It's really a worry, I am really concerned there is something serious going on with her and my sister is sort of the 'queen of denial' type.

 

[Christine]

My son has multiple food allergies and has never had an issue with growing. Even picky eaters find *something* to eat that will put on weight and cause growth--even if it's the same thing every day.

There may, indeed, be food allergies present, but I would be looking into malabsorption syndromes, one of which is Celiac disease.

 

[Mskanga]

I can only hope that the doctor ordered a CBC on the child and check everything , if she lacks protein or any other thing of that sort , it will show on the blood test.
I hope they get the answers so that they can help the child .
Oh and I forgot to say , I have one very picky eater at home, but she has never had a growing problem.

 

[justhat]

I don't really have any experience with allergies and growth of my own, but I am pretty sure that if the child does have allergies then they can stunt her growth. I would ask DisneyPhD as her youngest has a food allergy and I know she posted a lot about how her daughter didn't gain any weight for months but once they targeted the allergy she started gaining weight again. Good luck and your niece is lucky you're so concerned about her well-being.

 

[snowball22]

Be sure to check into sulfites which are in alot of foods. They can cause hives and other life threatening situations. Sulfites can play havoc on the whole digestive system.

 

[poohandwendy]

Thanks for the ideas, I will mention them to my sister. Celiacs disease definitely sounds like a possibility.

I know they did run blood tests on her, hopefully, they will pinpoint the problem.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

She has been having trouble with hives and her feet swelling

Hopefully the pediatrician has ruled out Kawasaki Disease. Stunted growth is not usually related but the hives and feet swelling could be cause for concern.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

P&W...I hate to sound like a broken record on these boards but you may recall my dd is on growth hormone.

No amount of allergies, food, diet etc...is going to change a malfunctioning pituitary gland.

She needs to see an endocrinologist.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

As far as feet swelling and hives? That is odd. I would see a cardiologist too. All of that could be related.
I would go there first.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't really have any experience with allergies and growth of my own, but I am pretty sure that if the child does have allergies then they can stunt her growth. I would ask DisneyPhD as her youngest has a food allergy and I know she posted a lot about how her daughter didn't gain any weight for months but once they targeted the allergy she started gaining weight again. Good luck and your niece is lucky you're so concerned about her well-being.

Basically what she said. Lily was born normal weight, gained normally for the 1st 6 months of her life. From 6 to 12 months she only gained 1 oz. Once we 100% elminated milk and eggs from her (and mine as I was her food source) diet she started gaining again just fine.

Now both of my DD's are small people, as I am myself. However not gaining any weight is not normal for that age.

I have talked to other mothers of children with food allergies and the same thng has happened to them. I don't know how it could keep her from gaining weight, but it did.

 

[YourMajesty]

Maybe she should see an allergy Dr. Food allergies can be tested by blood or by skin. I would hope her dr is doing blood work like thyroid and others for slow/no growth. Tell her to get moving it's not normal for kids not to grow or gain weight.

 

[kejoda]

We have had problems with our son John growing. We had a lot of tests done and nothing was found other than a very high metabolism. Since then we have added carnation instant breakfast drink into his diet. John has a slow but steady growth rate now. Were planning on having him retested but might have to wait until summer due to ins.

Hopefully you find out whats going on soon.

 

[SeeDisney]

My DH has celiac disease, diagnosed about 2 years ago and I have read several ariticles and had verified from a girlfriend who has CELIAC disease and it both mentioned that short stature in children could be celiac disease. No gluten products.

Please have your niece look into that possiblility.

Good Luck.

 

[AnnR]

There is a possibility of Growth Hormone Deficiency. For more information check out this site.http://www.magicfoundation.org

 

[FreshTressa]

No idea, but she is lucky to have you looking out for her.

Hope you guys get this figured out.!

 

[poohandwendy]

Thank you to those who have offered suggestions and warm thoughts, I really appreciate it. My neice (Maggie) had blood drawn on Tuesday and from what I understand the *suspicion* is Celiac's Disease, but other things are being tested as well. And they will keep going from there if it is not anything they can pinpoint from thsi round of testing. My sister is supposed to hear the results by the end of the week, so hopefully we will know more tommorow.

My main concern if it is Celiacs is that my neice is a very, very picky eater (and a strong-willed child too)...pretty much her entire diet consists of gluten based foods...I am not sure how she will do with a total change in diet. I also do not have too much faith in my sister and Maggie's father (who has her on the weekends) forcing her to adhere to a strict diet, mainly because they are both the 'pleaser' types of parents. (this is a concern to not only me, but all of the family members)

I hope the doctor is very, very clear about how important dietary changes are, if that is the case.

I will keep you all updated. To be honest, I am just hoping it is a problem that can be corrected by diet and not something more scary.

 

[urglewurgle]

i'm sorry about your niece but hopefully the doc can find out the problem and you guys can work on helping her out!

You can get loads of gluten free products these days... so i'm sure your niece will be ok!

(((hugs)))

 

[DisneyPhD]

P&W, best of luck to them.

I know that adjustments to allergy diets can be very hard, gullten especaily. It is life changing. What we eat is a very big part of our lives. Milk and eggs has been very difficult because it cuts out whole food groups, and then is used in so much more. I think it eleminates about 70% of what I was eating before my DD devleoped the allergy.

However it has been good for her and I. She is doing great, learning to eat more and is growing and developing well. I have learned to be a pro at cooking with out eggs or milk. Some of it is rather good.

I on the other hand have lost 20 pounds, just by cutting out milk and eggs. Mind you that means no desserts (at a normal resturant, or other people houses mostly.) I can bake chocolate chip cookies and all kinds of things for myself and they taste just fine. I do most of my shopping at a normal grocery store, just a few things at whole foods, and that does help.

It really is a mater of adjustment. Adjustment can be very difficult. Once they do you DN and her family will be fine. (I say about 3 months) Infact as hard as this will be, it might also be very good for your DN (in a strange trials makes us stronger kind of way.)

I would guess they will recomend the family see a nutraionist. Ours acutally wasn't much help. I found out more (correct) info myself on line and by talking to other mothers with the same situation. However I hope it is more helpful to your sisters family. It will at least impress on them how important diet it.

Hugs to your family and what ever they find out, research it. Research it more and then find support. It makes a world of differnce. The good news is there is lots of support and info out there.

I hope it is something easier then celtic disease, but if it is, they will be able to handel it. Many people have and live happy, normal healthy lives.

 

[poohandwendy]

Once they do you DN and her family will be fine. (I say about 3 months) Infact as hard as this will be, it might also be very good for your DN (in a strange trials makes us stronger kind of way.)

Absolutely! At this point, her growth has basically stopped and she has been showing signs of it. She was hospitalized once this year for something that should have been minor, but ended up being major. (ended up dehydrated and anemic) She just looks sickly, even my DH noticed (and he is not one to notice even the most obvious around him, LOL)

I really think that this is her shot at getting well, if it is a dietary thing. I mean, from what I read (if it is Celiacs)...if she eliminates gluten, she should have very few problems and be healthier than ever.

I am just really, really praying it isn't anything more.

Thanks for the encouragement. She is just my favorite neice (out of 7 really great neices, LOL) and I want to wrap her in a bug hug and make it all better. I am just realy, really worried about her.

 

[RitaZ.]

She has always been small, but sheesh, she still wears size 24 month (yes, toddler size) shirts and size 4T pants that are loose on her that my sister has to roll down the waist to get them to stay up.

That is small for her age. I don't know if this has been mentioned, but has your sister tried giving your niece those nutritional shakes for kids? I forget the brand, they come in different flavors. They are calorie rich and they help kids put weight on.