To be worried about my 4yo

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My 4 year old was sick during the night a few months times a couple of nights ago. After that, he seemed ok in himself but he will hardly eat much since then. Fluid intake is also a little less.

All he's had is small bites of whatever I offer, and some things he has completely refused. It's really not like him as he loves his food usually.

Should I be worried? I can't ask him how he's feeling because he's autistic and non verbal so makes things a bit more difficult!

Anybody else experienced something similar with their little one?

I can see why you're concerned.
If it was my child I'd be thinking does he have a fever? How much liquid is he taking, is it staying down and is he going to the toilet less.

If you're concerned about dehydration then a call to 111 would be a good idea.

Does he have a temp? Sounds just like he's recovering from a sick bug. Offer his favourite foods and maks sure he's drinking something and maybe consider the GP if he's still not right next week.

If he's had a bug of some sort, maybe he just still feels a bit queasy. Or if he's not used to being sick, could he just be scared that it will happen again, do you think?

I'm assuming he isn't showing any signs of stomach pain? Obviously you've explained that he wouldn't be able to tell you he had a stomach ache, but I think you can see signs like doubling over or hunching, curling up and drawing their legs up when sitting/lying down etc. Appendicitis can sometimes start with nausea but if that was the problem, I doubt he'd seem OK in himself and he would probably be visibly uncomfortable and in pain.

He's not had a temperature and he has been weeing, but not pooing (suspect that's because he's not really eaten much though?)

He has bursts of energy where he's playful as normal then other times where he just seems tired like now and wants to lay down.

Like I mentioned, he has very limited vocabulary but he can say when he wants water/juice which he has been asking for since he got home from school.

A gastro virus is normal and they can linger. My son had one that lasted a week - then reocovered then came back about 3 weeks later and he was sick every day for a week again. Nothing else the matter with him but just made him really queasy and he barely ate.

I think the key is to make sure he is having fluids. If he doesn't want water you can give ice lollies, juice, jelly, ice cubes. It's normal not to eat for a few days after a gastro virus. However, if you are concerned do call a GP or 111. and if you are concerned about dehydration https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/

My autistic kids go off their food big time after any illness. I think it’s an association with food and being sick. My middle child was sick last week and whilst he recovered physically very quickly, everything else has been ‘off’ for nearly a week now (including sleep 😑). Offer little and often, if you’re still concerned (especially not emptying bowels) then maybe call the doctor for advice.

yep I think this could be it with him also. It terrifies him being sick because he doesn't understand what's happening or why he's doing it