Ds is almost 5 very run down and presently got shingles-is he underweight at 17 kgs can anyone tell me ?

[fakeblonde]

I cant find the darn centile chart things but am in a bit of a panic that he`s underweight.having had two girls who were always almost the other way - he just seems so fragile.Is 17 kgs (fully clothed with trainers ect. ) ok.Not sure how tall he is -prob slightly above average.
I think 17 kgs is about 2 1/2 stone btw ? x

He`s had one infection after anoter recently which has now ended up in him getting shingles and he looks really pale and too thin .
Off to buy a tonic tomorrow and prescription for lots of fruit veggies fresh air sleep and most of all cuddles .

If hes had lots of infections and not been eating its possible that that may have caused him to look pale and thin. Im just trying to find my red book so i can have a look for you. Fresh air and cuddles are great medicines.

17kg's is on the 25th centile if thats anyhelp not sure if thats underweight or not. As long as he isnt losing weight i think is the main thing, perhaps see you HV for reassurance and information.

My DS2 is also looking thin and pale at the moment and has had me ever so worried so I took him to the GP. He weighs 18kgs which puts him on the 50th Centile and he is on the 91st for height but the docs said not to worry. Could you try a vitamin supplement for him?

Doctor said to weigh him every now and again and make sure he is following the centile line, as long as he does not drop through the centiles quickly then he will be fine.

You could give him some Minadex tonic, which has vitamins and iron in to help build him up.

Ds1 is nearly 7 and weighs 3 stone 3 if that's any help - he's skinny as anything. Dd is more solidly built and taller for her age, she is 5 in August and weighs 3 stone 1.

Just had a good look through my DSs red book....

17kgs 37.5 lbs which is is 2 stone 9.5lb.

At age 5 that weight is on the 25th centile so not underweight for that age....but you would need to know what centile your LO is normally around to better judge whether that weight is low for him. If your instinct is telling you that he doesn't look/seem he normal lively & healthy self then it might be worth seeing your GP for some advice/reassurance. Has his appetite been affected by all the recent illness?

Just to compare....My DS is 3.8yrs old & weighs 2 stone 10lb which puts him on the 75th centile at his age. He is quite tall (91st centile) & skinny but tbh is uber healthy/lively & has very good muscle tone so I would probably call him 'lean'.

Also bear in mind that small differences can make quite a difference centile wise - so if he is looking thin it may not be that he is 'very underweight' but has just grown taller. My kids all do that - grow out and look a bit more solid then grow up and look lean again. I remember a couple of times getting REALLY worried about ds1 when he looked skeletally thin, but then noticed his trouser legs were half way up his legs!

Just re-read the OP and shingles is nasty, so huge sympathies to him, and to you for looking after him. He's only reception isn't he? So he can have a good break from school and REALLY recover and get his strength back.

Minadex! Thats what I was looking for yesterday. Fab stuff, really perks them up when they are run down.