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What Causes Poor Appetite In Child?

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Posted on Tue, 28 Jul 2015
Question: Hi, my son is about 5 years old and he does not eat properly, always asks for milk and his weight is 17 kg, our doctor has given him arbivit 3 drops, I would be highly obliged for your advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Archana Verma (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Poor appetite for foods may beuu due to various reasons

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM

I completely understand your concerns but don't worry. It's always better to treat the reasons for poor appetite in a child than giving just multivitamins.
Let me first tell you that your child's weight is fine. So don't worry. Although it can improve by following measures:
1. Restrict access to milk if he takes more than 2-3 glasses per day. Let him feel hungry to crave for other foods.
2. Family meals together will make him more acceptable to the balanced diet.
3. Many a times worm infestation also reduce appetite. So give him a dose of albendazole (400mg) once at bedtime and repeat it after 2 weeks.
4. Restrict fluids before and during meals. Too many refined carbohydrates such as juices, chocolates, sugars also reduce appetite.
5. Avoid force feeding. Good physical activity is also useful.
6. Continue arbivit drops but at 1 ml per day. It will help him in growing bones.
7. Check for anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is associated with poor appetite. Ferronia XT will be useful in that case.

Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
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. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Archana Verma

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 1129 Questions

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What Causes Poor Appetite In Child?

Brief Answer: Poor appetite for foods may beuu due to various reasons Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome to the HCM I completely understand your concerns but don't worry. It's always better to treat the reasons for poor appetite in a child than giving just multivitamins. Let me first tell you that your child's weight is fine. So don't worry. Although it can improve by following measures: 1. Restrict access to milk if he takes more than 2-3 glasses per day. Let him feel hungry to crave for other foods. 2. Family meals together will make him more acceptable to the balanced diet. 3. Many a times worm infestation also reduce appetite. So give him a dose of albendazole (400mg) once at bedtime and repeat it after 2 weeks. 4. Restrict fluids before and during meals. Too many refined carbohydrates such as juices, chocolates, sugars also reduce appetite. 5. Avoid force feeding. Good physical activity is also useful. 6. Continue arbivit drops but at 1 ml per day. It will help him in growing bones. 7. Check for anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is associated with poor appetite. Ferronia XT will be useful in that case. Hopefully this will help you. Take care