4 yo pale, dark circles under eyes etc

[clinellwipe]

My autistic 4 year old looks pretty rough. He’s pale, has dark circles under his eyes (so do I but he’s bloody 4!) and is skinny. He just looks ill. I’d say this has been the case on and off all year.

He’s a fussy eater but has vitamin gummies daily. He’s had back to back coughs/flu the last couple of months so his (already horrendous) sleep is extra disrupted. Waking up every hour or so. He doesn’t have as much energy as he did before, when he used to run laps around the house and launch himself off the sofa.

he had bloods done earlier this year when admitted to hospital with severe constipation - they were normal then.

Are your SEN kids pale, poorly looking? Is it the bad sleep? Is it just this time of year ?

I’ll do a GP econsult on Monday but I doubt they’ll care about a 4 year old looking a bit crap and being a couch potato?

thanks for reading

It has been a long, busy term for schools/nurseries with a lot of bugs around.

What are DS’s weight and height like?

I know DS is a fussy eater (have you looked at ARFID?) but does he eat enough quantity wise? I would check the vitamin gummies you use have enough in for someone whose diet is restricted.

If DS’s sleep is horrendous anyway, does he take melatonin?

If it persists after a rest over Christmas, I would ask about more bloods.

I'd be concerned. Being autistic doesn't make it ok for him to be sickly. I think uou should takehim to a GP.

It sounds like dehydration to me. My now 10yo has struggled with dehydration for years! And it always leads to dark circles under eyes, pale skin and constipation.