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What Causes Frequent Stomach Pain, Poor Appetite, Under Weight And Frequent Urination?
Question: Have a 4 year old grandson with the following (ongoing symptoms)
1. Very low weight (27) and not gaining. 2.Frequent stomach aches. 3. Doesn't like to eat. 4. Difficulty using the bathroom with very dark, tar-like stools (could that mean there is blood in the stool)? 5. Has recently started to have nose bleeds. 6. Restless legs, hurting at night (perhaps just growth pains but could also be dehydration). 7. Poor teeth (in fact he just had crowns put on molars and front teeth capped). All signs that point to digestive issues or body not absorbing and getting proper nutrition. What could be the cause?
1. Very low weight (27) and not gaining. 2.Frequent stomach aches. 3. Doesn't like to eat. 4. Difficulty using the bathroom with very dark, tar-like stools (could that mean there is blood in the stool)? 5. Has recently started to have nose bleeds. 6. Restless legs, hurting at night (perhaps just growth pains but could also be dehydration). 7. Poor teeth (in fact he just had crowns put on molars and front teeth capped). All signs that point to digestive issues or body not absorbing and getting proper nutrition. What could be the cause?
Brief Answer:
Get stool test done,most of the symptoms in this age are nonorganic
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for choosing this platform
I have gone through the details and do understand your concern.
Average weight of 4 year old child is about 32 pounds.The poor weight gain in your grandson may be attributed to his previous illness for which he has undergone surgery.Other possibility may be improper digestion or nutritional deficiency.
Children of this age are very fussy regarding the feeds and they have more inclination towards playing.It is always better to encourage them for feeds.
Give him frequent small feeds of his own choice.
Dark tar like stool should be considered as blood mixed stool and an urgent stool test must be done(for occult blood and routine examination).
Restless legs and nose bleeds may be just normal for this age or related to any disease causing blood mixed stool,bleeding from nose and restless leg due to nutritional calcium or vitamin D deficiency.
Regarding poor teeth I request you to provide the details like for what condition the crowning and capping has been done.
In summary I request you to get a stool test done and get iron profile and serum vitamin D/calcium level done to rule out any nutritional deficiency.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Regards
Get stool test done,most of the symptoms in this age are nonorganic
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for choosing this platform
I have gone through the details and do understand your concern.
Average weight of 4 year old child is about 32 pounds.The poor weight gain in your grandson may be attributed to his previous illness for which he has undergone surgery.Other possibility may be improper digestion or nutritional deficiency.
Children of this age are very fussy regarding the feeds and they have more inclination towards playing.It is always better to encourage them for feeds.
Give him frequent small feeds of his own choice.
Dark tar like stool should be considered as blood mixed stool and an urgent stool test must be done(for occult blood and routine examination).
Restless legs and nose bleeds may be just normal for this age or related to any disease causing blood mixed stool,bleeding from nose and restless leg due to nutritional calcium or vitamin D deficiency.
Regarding poor teeth I request you to provide the details like for what condition the crowning and capping has been done.
In summary I request you to get a stool test done and get iron profile and serum vitamin D/calcium level done to rule out any nutritional deficiency.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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