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What Causes Loss Of Apetite And Weight Loss?
Question: My son XXXX who is 12 years old has been suffering from loss of appetite for last 45 days and has lost about 5 kg of weight during this period. He now weighs 38 kg. He has had one loose motion a day for the last 5 days. He is allergic to dust and pollen and also had nose bleeds on some occasions in the past.
His loss of appetite and loss of weight and loose motion is getting me worried.
his blood haemogram , LFT & KFT report is attached. Password for opening this file is WALIA.
His full abdomen ultrasound report is atached.
His temperature rise upto 98.7 TO 98.9 deg F after about 45 minutes of having a meal. It then goes down to 98.1 after about 2 hours
Brief Answer:
listed
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Of course he weight loss of 5 kgs in 6,weeks is a cause of concen.!
But he has no significant fever except the small rise in temp mentioned!
Otherwise the first thought will be to rule out tuberculosis in view of the symptoms and ultrasound findings of few mesenteric lymph nodes.
As per reports,.mostly
The siginifacant abnormalities are ,
Lymph nodes in scan
Slightyly high ESR
I suggest,
Chest xray
Mantoux
Biopsy of lymph node if any peripheral nodes are palpable on examination.
Record his temp and note.
Change his food to his liking
Is there any underlying psychological cause?peer pressure?
( investigate carefully!!)
God bless
Dr UMA
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dear Doctor,
I have uploaded the X-Ray Report as well.
With regard to your question that whether there is any underlying psychological peer pressure, I would like to mention that Arjan's height is about 4 feet 8 1/2 inches and he weight was about 44 kg before. There are a couple of his classmates who call him short, due to which he gets disturbed.
Can such a situation result in enlarged mesentric lymph nodes?
Also can such a situation result in loss of appetite/loose motion?
Brief Answer:
no
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Glad x-ray is normal.
Reg peer pressure it can co tribute to depression and loss of appetite and loose stools.
However you mentioned that he passes stool only once a day.!
Mesenteric lymph nodes are few and small and that is not related to psychological problem at all!!!!
Pl get an opinion from a pediatric gastroenterologist! I do not think as of now there is anything to worry from the test results!!!
Give him positive thoughts reg height.
He still has the age to grow!!!!
Talk to him how he should ignore other's comments and come up in life ! ------ he has a long way to go in studies and career!
God bless
Dr uma
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Doctor,
Are the symptoms indicative of cancer or anything of that sort. Also I did mention that he passes loose stools once a day,but he also passes at least one other normal motion during the day.
Regards
Brief Answer:
very unlikely!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Hopefully not!
First rule out simpler things like tuberculosis!
Sometimes simple viruses can also cause lymph node enlargement.
Normal ultrasound organs is a good sign!
Do not worry
God bless
Dr uma
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. Yogesh D
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