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Original poster

Exhausted child and a strange smell

192 replies

BlueDinosaurs · 15/01/2025 19:49

My daughter is 9 and for the last few days has just been absolutely shattered. Laying down in bed almost as soon as they get in from school. Bit of stomach ache going on, no diarrhoea or sickness, some blood in her poo. Not a huge amount. Off her food a little bit but is eating things like toast, fruit and yogurts. Generally just under the weather but the main thing that I have noticed is that she has an odd smell about her. After she has been for a poo it has a really odd smell to it and her breath does too - the same smell. Has anyone encountered this? I’m assuming it’s a version of a stomach bug but it’s the odd smell finding a bit unsettling. Any advice welcome, thank you.

OP posts:
NewYearNewName2025 · 15/01/2025 20:26

Tiredness and sweet smell could be diabetes (pear drop smell). See you GP asap

viques · 15/01/2025 20:25

BlueDinosaurs · 15/01/2025 20:18

I can’t put my finger on the smell. It just smells odd. I remember my mum when I was younger saying my Grandad had a funny smell about him and it smelled like diabetes (she worked in a pharmacy so was a bit familiar with some ailments etc) and he did turn out to have it and it’s that smell that has hit a chord and what I think may smell familiar.

Not thirstier, just exhausted. Saying she is hungry all the time but yet not overly eating a huge amount.

I will read all the replies and assess. Will try and get a stool and urine sample. i will call 111 for advice and then go from there.

Thank you for your replies.

Interesting that she says she is hungry, she might be confusing feelings of hunger and thirst.

I hope you get her checked out quickly OP.

parietal · 15/01/2025 20:24

Differentstarts · 15/01/2025 20:23

Did people's kids just die before mumsnet

Yes, my great uncle died age 11 from childhood diabetes. In the 1930s.

Beansandcheesearegood · 15/01/2025 20:24

Coeliacs?

Differentstarts · 15/01/2025 20:23

Did people's kids just die before mumsnet

BobbyBiscuits · 15/01/2025 20:23

As others say bad breath in kids can mean diabetes. Hope you get her checked soon. X

StationeryNerd · 15/01/2025 20:19

Please let us know how you got on OP with the doctor, if you feel comfortable to! Curious but also concerned, even if you're a stranger 💔

Flopsy145 · 15/01/2025 20:19

A quick Google shows blood in poo can also bea symptom of diabetes, as well as the smell and the tiredness. Worth ruling out, and if not that then likely some sort of virus she's fighting. Has she been in school today? Any other kids ill?

Original poster
BlueDinosaurs · 15/01/2025 20:18

I can’t put my finger on the smell. It just smells odd. I remember my mum when I was younger saying my Grandad had a funny smell about him and it smelled like diabetes (she worked in a pharmacy so was a bit familiar with some ailments etc) and he did turn out to have it and it’s that smell that has hit a chord and what I think may smell familiar.

Not thirstier, just exhausted. Saying she is hungry all the time but yet not overly eating a huge amount.

I will read all the replies and assess. Will try and get a stool and urine sample. i will call 111 for advice and then go from there.

Thank you for your replies.

OP posts:
Gogogo12345 · 15/01/2025 20:17

AFingerofFudge · 15/01/2025 19:56

Or (not to say it won't be diabetes, just giving you my view) it could be like DS1- when he was younger he would sometimes smell funny when he was ill (tonsillitis, a big, a cold). I would smell his illness too. It was weird, and didn't happen with the other 2 DC's.

I was able to smell in advance if my kids were coming down with something.

BeLilacSloth · 15/01/2025 20:15

Blood in poo should be checked out immediately, OP you need to take her to A&E.

Perfect28 · 15/01/2025 20:13

My child always smells when they are sick. On top of this, infections smell.

TaggieO · 15/01/2025 20:12

I’d be worried about ketoacidosis, which is where a diabetic’s body starts breaking down fats for fuel and the acids released cause a smell a bit like rotten fruit - a sort of sweet, fruity chemical smell. It’s very, very dangerous and can be life threatening - I would suggest taking her to A&E if that’s the smell you are talking about. Has she been thirstier and needing to urinate more?

LittleMG · 15/01/2025 20:08

Vinvertebrate · 15/01/2025 20:05

I can smell my son’s ear infections (frequent). It’s like a rat crawled into his ear and died. DH can’t smell it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

My son had an ear infection and it was awful smelling and everyone said it wasn’t and I was overreacting! Weird

Codlingmoths · 15/01/2025 20:07

Just another one saying check for diabetes. If it’s a totally different smell to fruity it could be an infection. Either way I hope you’re at a doctors!

couch2wtf · 15/01/2025 20:07

Blood in poo is immediate cause for alarm. Get that checked straight away, don’t hang around.

Comet33 · 15/01/2025 20:06

Agree with everyone else.

Also - blood in poo should never be ignored or taken as normal. It always requires checking out by a GP asap.

Vinvertebrate · 15/01/2025 20:05

I can smell my son’s ear infections (frequent). It’s like a rat crawled into his ear and died. DH can’t smell it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Supersimkin7 · 15/01/2025 20:02

Appendicitis makes you whiffy with lack of appetite too, but usually it hurts so watch for that.

Crispynoodle · 15/01/2025 20:01

💯 you must take her to the GP urgently. If you can get a urine sample that would be good to take. She needs some bloods taken before a definite diagnosis. You can't really wait so tell your GP this is urgent, if you still can't get an appointment then ring urgent care

MissMoneyFairy · 15/01/2025 19:58

Check for diabetes and try and get a poo sample if her breath also smells pooey, is it a normal colour.

MusicalDoc · 15/01/2025 19:58

Paediatric Doctor here. Exhaustion + strange smell to your child rings alarm bells for diabetes. Please have her blood sugars and ketones checked ASAP.

itsgettingweird · 15/01/2025 19:58

Could also be gastro intestinal with bloody stool and smell - reflux smells too

TomatoSandwiches · 15/01/2025 19:58

Diabetes isn't always a sweet smell sometimes it's like an odd chemical/ammonia smell, has she been very thirsty?

CheesePlantFeet · 15/01/2025 19:56

Or would you describe it as a kind of yeasty, marmitey, musty smell?

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