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How Can Severe Constipation In A 11-month-old Infant Be Treated While She Is On Alimentum Formula
Question: Hi dr. My 11 month old daughter has been having blackish green hard stools for a few months now. She constantly strains when having a bowel movement and often times only a hard small pellet will come out.Only after looking online did I read that it's constipation and a sign of too much iron. I feel so horrible! She is on alimentum formula and this has been going on for so long now (a few months now). I also read online that it could cause hemoraging, hypoglycemia and death if left untreated. I am terrified that I coul1d have poisoned her. I am beyond upset. What can I do to help this situation?
Brief Answer:
Increasing dietary fiber intake and drinking plenty of water should help
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play and/or the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet. However, iron supplements are known to cause constipation and your anxiety is indeed valid. But you need not panic. Increasing the fiber intake and drinking plenty of water should provide relief.
You are doing the right thing by giving a fiber rich diet. Wheat, corn, and rice bran are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with bran. Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I could help further.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Increasing dietary fiber intake and drinking plenty of water should help
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Incidentally, constipation in children has become a very frequently encountered problem these days. The primary reason for the same is lack of adequate play and/or the lack of adequate amounts of fiber containing foods in diet. However, iron supplements are known to cause constipation and your anxiety is indeed valid. But you need not panic. Increasing the fiber intake and drinking plenty of water should provide relief.
You are doing the right thing by giving a fiber rich diet. Wheat, corn, and rice bran are high in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Many popular high-fiber cereals and bars are also packed with bran. Beans really are the magical fruit. Isabgol (psyllium husk) or senna can also be given as fiber supplements.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I could help further.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Since this has been going on for a while is she likely to have iron toxicity based on the colour and onstipation? I've realized that I may have been giving her too much powder in her formula by accident. My concern is this has been going on for so long.
Brief Answer:
Get blood hemoglobin level checked
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The constipation is due to iron supplements and not necessarily due to iron toxicity. Check her hemoglobin level. If it is normal, you may stop it altogether.
The excess formula powder in diet could mean less water in the diet and therefore, could lead to constipation. However, no long term concerns.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Get blood hemoglobin level checked
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The constipation is due to iron supplements and not necessarily due to iron toxicity. Check her hemoglobin level. If it is normal, you may stop it altogether.
The excess formula powder in diet could mean less water in the diet and therefore, could lead to constipation. However, no long term concerns.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Pediatrician
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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