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Original poster

What do my child’s symptoms say to you

27 replies

Bookworms77 · 04/04/2023 12:58

Hi all,

I will start off by saying I am seeking medical advice so I just wanted to go in armed with possible avenues/treatment to request.

My dd is 9. For various reasons she does not eat well and I’d say her diet could be improved. It’s not absolutely terrible but I would massively improve it if I could. This has been an issue for a number of years. She’s on the cusp of being underweight.

She has suffered dry lips for a long time. She is often dehydrated and drinks very little. Again this is an ongoing issue and we have had years of medical interventions.

However, recently her hair has started to fall out. Every time I brush it or even touch it, hair comes away in my hand. It feels so brittle. It’s not clumps but just strands falling away at the scalp. More than normal day to day expected hair loss. This started about 3 weeks ago.

Her lips have gone from being dry (normal for her) to being split, bleeding, sores etc again this is new.

She complains of aches and pains most of the time. Could be related but not sure.

Im trying to think of other new symptoms but can’t put anything down off the top of my head.

Im leaning towards some sort of vitamin deficiency? Has anyone experienced this. I don’t want to jump down this path if it could be something else though and it will be easy to explain it away as this because of her poor diet.

Any experiences?
Thanks

OP posts:
Stripycatz · 04/04/2023 13:15

There's so many things it could be. Have you been to the GP? Had bloods done? That's where I'd start.

Towmatertomato · 04/04/2023 13:15

Definitely sounds like a deficiency of some sort, and a serious one at that. Get her booked into the drs for a check up, she could be anything from anaemic to diabetic to anything in between and beyond.

Stripycatz · 04/04/2023 13:17

Sorry, just saw that you're seeking medical advice. Keeping a diary is always useful with vague symptoms like these.

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WavingThroughYoWindow · 04/04/2023 13:21

Is her stomach okay?

Greenfree · 04/04/2023 13:22

I'd definitely take her the doctors. Have you tried her on the kids multivitamin's? My 7 year old loves them and she is a fussy eater, thankfully she likes fruit and veg - it's meat and dairy I struggle to get her to eat. I hope you find out what's wrong and she feels better soon

mynameiscalypso · 04/04/2023 13:25

I'd wonder if it could be something like coeliac disease depending on what she eats.

Likethestarsabove547 · 04/04/2023 13:27

I'd agree on vitamin deficiency defo ask for a blood test

Anyfeckinusername · 04/04/2023 13:31

I hope they also test her thyroid. It will affect all other functions.

JustFrustrated · 04/04/2023 13:31

Well you've already identified she doesn't drink enough - the dry lips etc is most likely due to that.

Probably anemic too. Which would explain all of it.

Multivit, more fluids.

Is she NT or ND?

If NT, then she doesn't get a say in what she eats/drinks. She just has to.

I'm not saying force her, but be forceful. Different things.

YogaLite · 04/04/2023 13:34

Sounds like deficiency but it could be caused by poor absorption so u need a food diary, then it will be easier to see what's going on.

jannier · 04/04/2023 13:37

Malnutrition, dehydration, eating disorder, bowel disorders endless list

Antiquiteas · 04/04/2023 14:21

What does her diet actually consist of? Symptoms could be malnourishment alone, or it could be something else.

Switchwitch · 04/04/2023 14:34

I'd want tests for thyroid and celiacs.

Could be a food allergy too, causing her to be underweight as it can stope her absorbing foods properly.

FourBoysAndAFeline · 04/04/2023 15:17

Anemic.

CrotchetyQuaver · 04/04/2023 15:20

I would say anaemia first of all, but what is causing it? Eating like a sparrow or because of something like coeliac?

Original poster
Bookworms77 · 04/04/2023 21:10

Thank you everyone I’m glad I got the replies I did because it shows I’m in the right track.
I have spoken to a nurse today and we have a gp appointment tomorrow. Il be pushing bloods etc… it’s often difficult to persuade them to do this because they write it off as being part of her ongoing needs.

yes she is ND. We do push a better diet but when she is at school or whatever it’s difficult to police and food just comes home. She eats like a bird but so do I so it’s not just that. I prefer smaller meals or snacks spread out and she’s the same despite being offered normal meals with her sister and dad.
She also has some issues with her swallow so it impacts on what she can tolerate eating. Given all this it’s probably not as bad as it could be. She will eat fruit and veg but just very little of it. She will eat very little of anything to be honest but copes better with crunchy dry carbs that are safer to swallow.
She takes vits but if she’s deficient a normal multi vit may not be enough.
She does have tummy trouble and bowel issues but it’s been put down to dehydration. I’m thinking something has been missed to be honest.

OP posts:
Nightynightnight · 04/04/2023 21:31

Would she drink smoothies? I have a child with a very limited diet and I've managed to get her to drink a smoothie made with spinach, carrot juice and apple juice but I have to whizz it up a lot.

Mine has also started accepting some veg soup...but again it has to be blended to within an inch of its life.

I also give her a multivit and a floradix.

Given what you've said about dehydration, I think getting fluids into her is a priority. I had to set a timer for my other child to drink because he'd forget and then get terrible headaches.

Original poster
Bookworms77 · 04/04/2023 21:42

Thank you @Nightynightnight yes she will have the occasional smoothie but only a small amount.

we have had specialist interventions re the fluids and it is better than it was but still not great. We were at the point of discussing tube fed fluids and we are massively better than those days thank goodness.

it’s great to hear about your daughter now eating soup, gives me some hope.

OP posts:
Yorkyyorkyork · 04/04/2023 21:44

Our 9 year old has similar symptoms. We've been to the doctors 6 times and they refuse to do blood tests. 😔

Antiquiteas · 04/04/2023 21:46

Yorkyyorkyork · 04/04/2023 21:44

Our 9 year old has similar symptoms. We've been to the doctors 6 times and they refuse to do blood tests. 😔

That is outrageous. Why?

WeedKnife · 04/04/2023 22:43

Have you asked school for help via the OT? Have a chat with your senco if that's possible. There are programmes to support ND children around food - they have been limited in success with 2 of the children I work with but that is due to no support at home.

TellHimDirectlyInDetail · 04/04/2023 22:46

Long COVID?

RuthTopp · 04/04/2023 22:50

There are water sweets for dementia patients ( although I have no idea of they are sugar heavy ) perhaps you would investigate them to see if suitable .

specialsauce · 04/04/2023 22:59

My boy was (still is a bit) a terrible drinker - I solved it with ice lollies. You can get some nice Scottish raspberry ones and orange juice ones.

He was a sparrow eater too so I would give him small plates of 'stuff' throughout the day: couple of grapes, cherry toms, sliced cheese, carrot, satsuma segments, crackers. He'd pick at it and have an ice lolly and we tried not to mention how much (little) he was eating. Also I second the floradix.

Definitely ask for blood checks though, best to be safe. Good luck

ConcernedMum22 · 04/04/2023 23:00

I'd be pushing for a referral to paediatrics. My daughter's only symptom was tummy pain and increase in bowel movements. We got referred, they did bloods and she's coeliac. These sound like symptoms so worth pushing for bloods to see what's what.

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