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What Causes Strong Body Odour In A Child?

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Posted on Thu, 10 Nov 2016
Question: My son will be eight years old next month. He is very healthy and active. The only symptom he has that is worrying me sick is the recent very slight underarm odour. He is of average height and weight for his age and has no other signs of puberty at all and no other symptoms. I myself suffered from Hyperhidrodis in my younger days (also underarms). I am just extremely anxious. It is more noticable when he has eaten garlic, but some days I can smell it very slghtly on his T shirt sleeves.
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Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is common in this pre-adolescent age group - do not worry about it

Detailed Answer:
HI...I understand your concern. This type of body odour is quite common in this per-adolescent age group. Nothing to worry about it. More so it is an expected finding when one of the biological parents had it during their per-adolescence or adolescence.

You need to worry only if the - growth parameters are affected, or development is affected or if there had been any family history of inborn errors of metabolism. As you say he is an otherwise healthy boy, I don't think you should worry about it.

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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What Causes Strong Body Odour In A Child?

Brief Answer: This is common in this pre-adolescent age group - do not worry about it Detailed Answer: HI...I understand your concern. This type of body odour is quite common in this per-adolescent age group. Nothing to worry about it. More so it is an expected finding when one of the biological parents had it during their per-adolescence or adolescence. You need to worry only if the - growth parameters are affected, or development is affected or if there had been any family history of inborn errors of metabolism. As you say he is an otherwise healthy boy, I don't think you should worry about it. Regards - Dr. Sumanth