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What Causes Poor Weight Gain In A Child?
Question: Dr XXXXXXX Our daughter is a full term baby and was 2.93 kg at birth. However she has been trailing less than average on weight chart at every check up Considering that we have not detected any missed milestone doctors so far explained that it could be because both of us short statured ( wife 4 11, I am 5 7 ) and I have had a lean structure as far as I can remember. My daughter has been a fussy eater but lately getting better as she has started liking different types of solid food and we have been trying hard. Having said that she still craves for a bottle of milk at night There have been no major illnesses and she is generally active.What weight should be an absolute flag for intervention? Btw, As I understand weight charts in circulation are based on a statistical sampling from an XXXXXXX or British kids and no proper data exists based on children in XXXXXXX Is this correct information ?
Brief Answer: XXXXXXX growth chart for XXXXXXX standards
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr XXXXXXX
Welcome again. I really appreciate your knowledge.
There are two charts, XXXXXXX chart and khandelwal chart followed by XXXXXXX academy of pediatrics(IAP) and are made considering XXXXXXX race. I would suggest you to follow IAP not Circulation if you really want to know something from internet.Height is as important as weight for assessing growth.I will recommend you to follow that chart only.
Your doctors are right. Height of child depends on both maternal and paternal height and should be assessed according to that. There is one formula for mid parental height(MPH) and growth chart also, based on which one can say whether child is growing as per MPH or not.
Many a time child lag in growth between 4-10 year age in comparision to peers but regain their growth and attain the targated MPH in adolescence. This is known as constitutional delay. What your doctors have diagnosed her as familial short stature.
You should observe that even if she is lagging in growth chart it should not be a falling trend(same or rising is acceptable).
Consult your physician for need of some investigations like Vit. D, iron status, as most of the XXXXXXX children even being from effluent families suffer from deficiency of these micronutrients. Also discuss for the need of any supplemental drink like pediasure/junior horlicks as children of this age group are very fussy in context of feeding.
Will be very happy if you have any further query.
Regards
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr XXXXXXX
Welcome again. I really appreciate your knowledge.
There are two charts, XXXXXXX chart and khandelwal chart followed by XXXXXXX academy of pediatrics(IAP) and are made considering XXXXXXX race. I would suggest you to follow IAP not Circulation if you really want to know something from internet.Height is as important as weight for assessing growth.I will recommend you to follow that chart only.
Your doctors are right. Height of child depends on both maternal and paternal height and should be assessed according to that. There is one formula for mid parental height(MPH) and growth chart also, based on which one can say whether child is growing as per MPH or not.
Many a time child lag in growth between 4-10 year age in comparision to peers but regain their growth and attain the targated MPH in adolescence. This is known as constitutional delay. What your doctors have diagnosed her as familial short stature.
You should observe that even if she is lagging in growth chart it should not be a falling trend(same or rising is acceptable).
Consult your physician for need of some investigations like Vit. D, iron status, as most of the XXXXXXX children even being from effluent families suffer from deficiency of these micronutrients. Also discuss for the need of any supplemental drink like pediasure/junior horlicks as children of this age group are very fussy in context of feeding.
Will be very happy if you have any further query.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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