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What Causes Loose Motions In Children Despite Having Healthy Food?

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Posted on Thu, 8 Jan 2015
Question: Dear Doc, my son is 13 years old. We feel he has an issue with his food habits. He eats quite ok but seems to be having 2-3 stools a day. He seems to be having loose motions regularly and he has got used to the same. He eats normally even during loose motions. However, he manages. Wish to know what should be done. We have administered him de-worming tabs as well but to no real use. Please let me know. Regards,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Small bowel study is warranted.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,

I understand your query and concern.

The symptoms of your son are suggestive of digestive tract mucosal abnormality.

Since he is clinically asymptomatic as of now, you need not worry much.

I suggest you go for mucosal study through small bowel enteroscopy and fecal fat estimation.

These investigations can help to virtually rule out small bowel disease and guide further treatment.

Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (18 hours later)
Hi

Seems you are scaring me for an irregularity of some sort - may even be of eating habits. Why don't you suggest some basic medication that may treat the issue?

Regards, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prasanna Heijebu (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Anti-diarrhoeal medications should not be prescribed without a known cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,

I am sorry, I do not have any intention to scare you. I am only being more aggressive towards the problem of your child as his symptoms are quite recurrent.

Loose motions should not be left alone as such especially if they are frequent in nature.

Children usually present with latent mucosal abnormalities which need to be sorted out carefully.

Over the counter drugs for his loose motions are not advisable until a specific cause has been documented, since they can mask the process and produce frequent side effects.

Of course, drugs like loperamide can occasionally be helpful to control this loose motions but should be taken only under strict medical prescription.

Hope you understand my concern towards your child.
Post your further queries, if any.
Thank you.
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. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prasanna Heijebu

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1422 Questions

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What Causes Loose Motions In Children Despite Having Healthy Food?

Brief Answer: Small bowel study is warranted. Detailed Answer: Hi Sir, I understand your query and concern. The symptoms of your son are suggestive of digestive tract mucosal abnormality. Since he is clinically asymptomatic as of now, you need not worry much. I suggest you go for mucosal study through small bowel enteroscopy and fecal fat estimation. These investigations can help to virtually rule out small bowel disease and guide further treatment. Post your further queries,if any. Thank you.