Hi,I am Dr. Santosh Kondekar (Pediatrician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
My 5 week old son passes oily stools...one can see a yellow oily discharge which sticks to his buttocks. I had him examined by a paediatrician and she says that the jaundice is very mild but he has a little colic. His father was lactose intolerant as infant, is that a cause for concern? Otherwise my son is gaining weight adequately...is this due to some kind of malabsorption
Hi ,
Thanks for placing your query here.
I can appreciate your concerns.
Yes you are right in suspecting malabsorption as a cause of such stools.
Please get his total & direct bilirubin checked urgently.
If the bilirubin is mainly indirect --no serios concerns .
If the direct bilirubin is raised --there is every reason to be concerned & further detailed investigations are needed.
In short two tests are needed immediately.
1/-stool analysis esp for fat globules.
2/-total & differential bilirubin.
Further course of action will depend upon the results.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wish you son good health.
From the description you are giving it appears more likely mild form of fat malabsorption, also you have not given the information whether the child is eclusively on breast feeding or he is bottle feed too?
Do not worry as long as his intake is adequate and he is gaining weight as per his age.
Do re-consult your Pediatrician if Jaundice still persists.
Take Care
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Hi , Thanks for placing your query here. I can appreciate your concerns. Yes you are right in suspecting malabsorption as a cause of such stools. Please get his total & direct bilirubin checked urgently. If the bilirubin is mainly indirect --no serios concerns . If the direct bilirubin is raised --there is every reason to be concerned & further detailed investigations are needed. In short two tests are needed immediately. 1/-stool analysis esp for fat globules. 2/-total & differential bilirubin. Further course of action will depend upon the results. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help. Wish you son good health.