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What Causes Appetite Loss In A Child?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Question: I have a boy his name is XXXX date of birth (25th of March 2013). I delivered him cesarean. He is normal but I have a problem in drinking and eating. Since he was 2 months I found that he drink little milk such 120 ml a day also while he is drinking he takes time not less than 45 minutes to finish the bottle. Sometimes he drinks only 240 ml but not always many be once or twice a week I tried to change the milk but the same problem face me with him. He should drink the milk while he is sleeping because if he wakes up he refuse to drink which means that he put the bottle in his mouth and sucking for hours without drinking the milk. For example, I gave him 120 ml of milk at night 10 PM while he is sleeping, he drink another 30 ml at 6 AM and not drink until 12 or 1 and sometimes at 3 PM 120 ml of milk. He stay without drinking for 7 to 8 hours. Now when he come younger from 6 months I gave him food but only he eat 2 to 3 spoons of food and refuse to eat. He did not cry while he is not drinking or eating because he doesn’t feel hungry but he cry to sleep, to play or see strange people. I took him to different doctors in UAE hospital, they told me that if he does not like milk give him food but it is the same and they did not give me any advice or consultation. Also, I took him to old women to massage him, but they told me that he is normal. His weight now is (7 KG) which is not ok for one his age a year. About breast feeding, he did the same he is sucking without drinking the milk which lead my breasts to be dry. When he was 8 months his Iron was low (10) and I gave him Iron medicine for 4 months and now is (35) but he is still not drink and eat well. Also, I gave him PediaVite which include collections for vitamins but still the same. I would like to know if my child has any symptoms of any diseases or this is normal to be found in most children or his stomach is too small and need little milk and food. Please Could you please advise me what I can do with this child and write a report if you have any solution to this problem. Report is written by: XXXX mother If you would like to ask me more questions according his situation email me in this YYYY@YYYY sorry Male not female
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: Needs more investigations Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing to health care magic. Definitely 7 kg at one year is underweight. What I would advice to such patients in my clinic is to get complete checkup including stool and blood test to look for conditions like malabsorption , celiac disease, urine infection , kidney and liver function tests for inborn errors on metabolism which are common in UAE. Continue iron and multi vitamins. Try food with oil and ghee. Try to coat foods he refuses with foods he accepts. This will improve intake. Sit together and eat as a family. Wishing him good health Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Follow up: Dr. Arun (5 hours later)
Thanks a lot but I really tried to sit with him as a family and take it out of the house to change his mood but it still the same he refused to eat or drink in the cup which i think he doesnot know to drink . No foods he accpts unit know. Do you think he has a kind of any disesaes or do you have experince like this case? Do i need to take him outside UAE for checkup
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: pediatric gastroenterologist Detailed Answer: You can consult a pediatric gastroenterologist in UAE itself. Talk to him about the suspected diseases including malabsorption . I am sure they will some cause after thorough work up. Regards Dr Arun
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Follow up: Dr. Arun (17 hours later)
Do you think if he drink only 120 ml of milk is enough for vitamns and I will try to food him little ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Arun (2 hours later)
Brief Answer: may not be enough Detailed Answer: That may not be enough. You need to give some food and multivitamins too. Since I practice far away, I am unaware of local brands available. Your local doctors will know about it. Regards
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. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Arun

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1966 Questions

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What Causes Appetite Loss In A Child?

Brief Answer: Needs more investigations Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for writing to health care magic. Definitely 7 kg at one year is underweight. What I would advice to such patients in my clinic is to get complete checkup including stool and blood test to look for conditions like malabsorption , celiac disease, urine infection , kidney and liver function tests for inborn errors on metabolism which are common in UAE. Continue iron and multi vitamins. Try food with oil and ghee. Try to coat foods he refuses with foods he accepts. This will improve intake. Sit together and eat as a family. Wishing him good health Regards