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What Causes Poor Weight Gain In A Child?

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Posted on Mon, 29 May 2017
Question: Hi Dr, my daughter's weight is not increasing since the last 2mnths.. she has jst increased bi 200gms. Her birth weight as on 5th Aug-16 was 2.6 kg and her weight as of now is 6.5kg. 2mnths bck she was 6.3kg.Pls help. What can be the reason?During this tenure she had undergone teethin and had pain in throat during which her diet reduced.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I need more information please

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. I understand your concern. I have a few questions for you.
.
Questions:
1. What was the exact birth weight and what is the current weight and length?
2. How is the attaining of developmental milestones?
3. Is the stool oily and floats in the pan?
4. Is there any colour change in the hair or skin?
5. Is there any history of recurrent serious infections?
6. Her date of birth is 6th August 2016 right?
7. Please let me know what all you give her from morning to night.
8. Does she vomit out a lot?
9. Does she pass urine very frequently?
10. Does she have unexplained fast breathing?

Please get back to me with answers​, so that I can guide you better.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (43 minutes later)
Thanks doc. Below are the answers for your queries:-
1) Exact birth weight was 2.6 kg and her weight as of now is 6.55 kg
2) Attaining of milestones is excellent i feel as she does crwaling, extremely responsive and reactive,strtd sittin and falls dwn wit care. Tries to stand with furniture support and also stands on her own when I make her stand on side of the table or something, claps hands , babbles ba ba, amma, ta ta
3) Stool is neither oily nor floats in t pan. It is brownish green in color and of good consistency since I have started ouly food.
4) No change as such in the hair color or skin. Her skin is fair and hair color soft black.(have attached her pic
5) No history of any serious infections. She just fell sick once when she ws 5.5mnths old with a bacterial infection since then last mnth she got mild cold which resulted in throat pain. Otherwise she ws active and olayful but only meal times were disturbing for her during cold.
6) Her DOB is 5th Aug-16
7) Morning to night-1 banana or 2tsp XXXXXXX with milk o mashed apple in milk/ dal khichdi regularly of qty ( 2tbsp rice powder, 1tbsp dal powder,1.5tbsp rawa along with jeera/salt to taste in 2tsp ghee) and in the night 1/2 cup potato puree/veg puree
8) She does not vomit normally. Only vomited regularly for 4 days last mnth when she had throat pain
9)She requires 5diapers change a day which includes passing of stools twice or thrice
10)No she does not have fast breathing
Apart from above would also like to mention she takes my feed regularly after every 3hrs.)


Thank u vry much Dr.I will surely follow ur advice. However, I had another concern- since the last 2-3 days her diet has gone low and I can see that she wants to eat but after 4-5 spoons she gives my vomitin kind of expression. I somehow feel she feels uncomfrtable in her throat and this time she does not have cold as well. Can this be due to acidity? What should I do
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
She's underweight, but a healthy child - don't worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... I understand your concern. I have calculated for weight percentile​ according to her date of birth. She is definitely underweight and failing to thrive. But from the points​ I gathered from you I feel that she does not have any major problem. Just by increasing the calories in the food she is taking we can correct this.

I take this opportunity to tell you certain scientific facts and relieve your distress -
1. An active is a well kid even if she/ he is not eating well.
2. Development of a kid is as important as or I would say even more important than growth alone.
3. As the kids grow their interest in food decreases and interest in play activities increases so that they eat small quantity and run away to play. As parents we need to be more patient and feed than less quantity but more aliquots per day.
4. This age rather than the quantity of the food I suggest you concentrate more on the number of times you feed her and also make whatever you feed her calorie dense by adding good amount of ghee to it.
5. I suggest you not to use appetite stimulants on long run as they may cause drowsiness.

I will be happy to answer if you have any further queries.

I wish your kid a bright future. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.

Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth


Brief Answer:
May be mild gastroesophageal reflux

Detailed Answer:
Hi....by what you quote I feel that the kid is having mild form of GER (gastroesophageal reflux​).

Your kid will need -
1. Antireflux therapy - Proton pump inhibitors + antiemetics for a short course.
2. Always make the kid lie down in a propped up position - as in the care seat. The kid should not be sleeping completely flatly.
3. Avoid heavy feeding and feeding more times and in small aliquots.

But these are prescription drugs and you will need a doctor's prescription for this.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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What Causes Poor Weight Gain In A Child?

Brief Answer: I need more information please Detailed Answer: Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic. I understand your concern. I have a few questions for you. . Questions: 1. What was the exact birth weight and what is the current weight and length? 2. How is the attaining of developmental milestones? 3. Is the stool oily and floats in the pan? 4. Is there any colour change in the hair or skin? 5. Is there any history of recurrent serious infections? 6. Her date of birth is 6th August 2016 right? 7. Please let me know what all you give her from morning to night. 8. Does she vomit out a lot? 9. Does she pass urine very frequently? 10. Does she have unexplained fast breathing? Please get back to me with answers​, so that I can guide you better. Regards - Dr. Sumanth