Child going to bathroom a lot

[Un4732]

Pre teen child has always been slim despite having a healthy appetite. Eats wide range of food and plenty of it! I cook from scratch and always look for a decent nutritional meal. Yes there are treats too of course.

Almost immediately after each meal, or even during, child will 9 times out of 10 go and use bathroom for no.2, like clockwork. They can then go to the loo again between 2 and 4 times daily for no.2.

They say all is well, feel well other than sore bottom (from wiping lots I imagine).

Looking at centile charts they are 1% of weight but 50% height.

I'm wondering if this is normal or needs investigation. Maybe an absorption issue?

Waiting for paediatric apt but been waiting 6 months with no sign of apt. I suspect he has a hypermobility elhers danlos syndrome as similar to me and I've been recently diagnosed. I don't have same issues, quite the opposite! He's not particularly sporty or does any clubs but not sedentary either.

Thanks!

It could be down to a food intolerance (soya does this to me) or it could be some sort of gastro condition.

The difference in centiles between height and weight seems a lot. There's probably not much GP can do while waiting for the referral to happen but I wonder whether stool samples have been tested at any point? Calprotectin is a useful measure of inflammation.

Aside from that, DD's dietician has always recommended good home cooked puddings as a way to help with weight (DD is on the light side at times). Things like rice pudding, sponge puddings etc. made with whole milk/butter etc. But this is really just for in the meantime as I hope you manage to get to the bottom of whatever's going on soon.

Yea definitely get this checked, I would push the GP for a more urgent referral especially if there is any weight loss. GP can run some blood tests and stool tests while you wait for the pediatrician. Trust your instinct. X

They would love home cooked puddings! @GoneIsAnotherSummersDay

Yes I think it is my instinct that says there is something not quite right @Hazelmaybe have booked another apt to see if that referral can be pushed

This was me as a child, diagnosed with Coeliac disease at 21.

Could you start a food diary and see if things trigger him more.

I've got Ulcerative Colitis (since 17) and that started with increased going to the loo multiple times a day.

Ask dr for stool test.

The happening more with meals isn't in itself a worry, as there's a reflex (the gastrocolic reflex) that basically means when the stomach fills with food, it sends a message down the gut to make room. The weight is a bit more of a concern. I don't suppose you know if they've always been on a low weight centile? I'd be tempted to do bloods for a coeliac screen, and a stool sample for calprotectin (basically for signs of inflammation in the gut). May be worth keeping a food and symptoms diary.

So are they going between 2 and 4 times a day total or between 5 and 7 times a day total? The first is within the normal range but the second is high. Have you inspected their poo and compared it to the Bristol Stool Chart?

Hi, 2-4 times a day. All looks normal too. Maybe it's just a good metabolism (jealous!) But they are rather slim, bordering skinny in comparison to their intake.

@ForeverTired89 that's interesting. They are a bread/pasta/carb monster. I'd think they would feel unwell with coeliac issues though? No stomach pain or diarrhoea

@nocoolnamesleft was a lovely chubby toddler, but I'd say from 6ish they have always been on slim/skinny side (ribs visible and clearly not much body fat at all)

I will ask for those tests as a starter I think.

@Un4732 I didn’t have any stomach pain or diarrhoea, just used to have to go everytime I ate. I was also very small.

We use Protection H Gel for my kids when they go to much and have bottom pain it helps heal the area and reduces itching. Does your DC have any bleeding when going so often? x

@MyTwinGirls that would help when it's bad thank you.

@ForeverTired89 interesting. Time to push for some tests I think