Worried about ds1 not eating and skinny

[JodieG1]

He's still ill and has been for a few weeks now, saw dr today who prescribed dioralyte as she said he looked pale and was worried about him not getting enough salt. He's had d&v and now a bad cold with a horrible cough. Dr said it was a virus.

He used to have a great appetite but it's been a while now of him not really eating much.

He is so skinny, I've just weighed him and looked in his red book and he weighs the same now as he did a year ago, he was 3 1/2 and now is 4 1/2. He has lost weight between those times though as he was more.

Could there be anything wrong with him as to why he isn't eating much? I'm so worried as he's so skinny now.

He weighs 2 and a half stone and has gone down lots on the centile chart.

We just made pizzas to get him involved and he didn't even want to eat that, took literally 2 tiny nibbles. We don't make issues out of not eating but I can't help being worried about him now.

If he's been ill for that long, I'd go back to the doc and ask for further investigation. Blood tests, to start with. A 4.5yr old shouldn't be ill and losing weight for that long without a dr taking it seriously.

I would get them to check his blood count..he may be anemic..this can cause loss of appetite and of course can be vicious circle..cause they cant get any iron in if not eating and maybe ask for some iron supplements 4 a while whilst blood tested! I have had same thing with 5yo, really tired all the time, not eating, poorly tummy! Hope this helps!

Thanks, I'll make another appointment and see what the dr has to say then.

Thing is he's usually very lively and bouncy but the past two days has been saying he's tired relaly early and he just said he wants to go to bed. He went up before 6pm last night and slept until 9am.

He's 3 foot 5 and a half and has grown an inch in the past two months.

I thought anaemia but assumed the dr would make sure everything was ok with him, dh took him as he's ill as well so otherwise I could have asked the dr why myself.

He's just gone to bed about 10 mins ago now as he said he was tired

Ahh bless him! I would get it checked, my ds got blood test on monday.

How do they do the blood tests at his age? The same as an adult has them?

I've been googling his symptoms and worried myself now

I agree with all the other posters re the drs. My ds2 has had 2 dv bugs in succession and I tempted him back to eating with all the stuff we don't usually have. Ready salted crisps, rich tea biscuits, flat full sugar lemonade (drs advice) - anything nondairy(advised agaist because of sickness) to get him eating again. I have given mine minidex tonic in the past, but it's just a vitamin syrup. I hated it when my ds looked like a lollipop head with weight loss - I really feel for you and hope he gets better.

Well my 5yo going to the childrens ward at the local hospital, they put cream on hands and arms to numb area up then they will take the blood the normal way but there are usually quite good and distract the child with a book whilst doing it so they dont see whats happening! I dont know whether they do this as standard for children now or whether its just certain areas.

I've been trying with foods he would normally love and he still can't eat them, even easter eggs he's barely touched.

I hope they do numb him first then if they sent him for a blood test, I think I'll request one if they don't.

Thanks. It's so hard seeing him like this as it just isn't like him. He can't seem to stop coughing but the dr said his chest was clear and there is no wheezing.

I know my son has been a worry since he struggles to for a poo too!! Lack of fibre..always been picky. I know how you feel so worried that you cant sleep for worrying. I do feel for you, my son so pale and skinny but they have checked his weight and hes not underweight. Hes just so much smaller than my others, mine is 5yo and hes probably only slighty heavier than yours about 2st 8. Much smaller than most of his friends at school try not to worry and if you are so worried i would insist on the doctor doing a blood test and refering him to paed if need be! You need to be happy in your own mind that there isnt anything else wrong..thats what i've done and i'm now waiting for appointment for paed

I think my son has a problem with his bowels too, so i have been quite pushy with docs because i need to make sure

Has he got stomach ache, or is drinking loads

He says his tummy hurts but he isn't drinking lots. I'm having to make sure he drinks anything. Just went up to check him after hearing him coughing lots again and his pillow was soaked with sweat.

Complaining of headaches too and that his legs hurt.

I have a 6 year old dd and she was bigger at his age and eats loads, she's thin but not skinny like him. Even ds2 is just under 2 stone at 14 months old.

R u asking me or the OP?
Yes to both.

Jodie, i think you need to sit down and make a list of all symptoms and how long has been going on and also make a list of things you want to ask the doc and make an appointment to see a doc i know what its like when you get in the docs you forget everything you wanted to tell him and come out then think, i should have told him this. I would def ask to be refered if i was in your position.

Bitcat I will have to write a list, I knew I should have gone today as well but it would have meant taking ds2 who is also ill and sitting in the drs for over an hour waiting.

I'll make a list and call them on Monday. I'm hoping it's just me being over anxious, dh never even thinks about things like this, he is such a non-worrier.

I think mums are supposed to worry thats what mums do isnt it? Nothing wrong with double checking, and well you hear stories dont you of docs missing things!! I always say better to be safe than sorry and you cant take chances where your children are concerned can you!! Good luck and pop in let us know how you get on at docs!

Yes I suppose you're right, I'm always worrying about something!

I'll update on Monday after the drs, she said to take him back if he wasn't better by then anyway but I'll sit and wait if I can't get an appt.

Good luck chick, hope he feels better soon and try not to worry too much, easier said than done i know or you will send yourself mad

I was just thinking of diabetes cos in children symptoms inc weight loss and tummy pain and lethargy.

Thanks, I'll try. Dd is in bed now and dh is trying to get ds2 to sleep, I've been trying for a little while now but he seems to prefer daddy to get him to sleep.

I don't think it could be diabetes as he isn't always thirsty or drinking a lot. Just seems like he's always ill lately.

Anyone else have any ideas?