[wca]

Not sure if this is the right section but I wasn't sure where else to put it.

My 4.5yr old DD is very skinny. She is also extremely fussy and eats like a bird. Most nights she won't even touch her dinner She has no bum, I can see her spine, shoulder blades, ribs and hip bones. She also looks tired all the time, like she has dark circles under her eyes all the time no matter how much she sleeps, and often mentions a sore tummy. My mum mentioed the other day that she looks like she's lost a bit of weight. My other two rugrats who are 6.5yrs and 2.5yrs eat very well and are robust healthy little things!
She also has very dry course skin and suffers from ezcema flares. Mentally, she is quite an emotional kid and can be very 'active' (ie often can't sit still, gets very fidgety etc).

Can anyone relate? Anyone else have a child who is similar? I am seeing the GP next Tuesday but thought I was ask on here too.

Thanks
Anni xx

[BabeBlossom]

I don't belong in here but saw this in We are discussing and had to respond. Have you considered food sensitivities, like Coeliacs for example? Speaking to your GP is a great first step, hope they are able to help her.

[FluffyOscar]

Hi, I came to this via the medical anxiety thread. You poor thing, you must be so stressed about your DD. I'm glad you have an appt for her. I'm not a doctor, but it does sound to me like some kind of deficiency, maybe iron, B, omega 3 and magnesium. But I wouldn't give any supplements until after you've seen te GP in case blood tests are warranted. Let us know how you go. Good luck.

[MyButterflyGirls]

My first thought was also Coeliacs - there is a related skin condition that can look like ezcema. It would be worth at least asking your Dr if they think Coeliacs should be included in any testing.

Good luck - I hope you get some answers.


Here is some info about Coeliac's Disease (taken from here: http://coeliac.org.au/coeliac-disease/symptoms.html):

The symptoms of coeliac disease vary considerably. Some people suffer severe symptoms, while others are symptom free. Further investigation for coeliac disease should occur if one or more high risk features are present. These include:

Iron Deficiency Anaemia and/or other Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
Gastrointestinal Symptoms e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, steatorrhea
Osteoporosis
Autoimmune Disease (autoimmune conditions commonly occur together)
Weight Loss (although some people may gain weight)
Infertility
A family history of coeliac disease
Other symptoms may also include

Fatigue, weakness and lethargy
Easy bruising of the skin
Recurrent mouth ulcers and/or swelling of mouth or tongue
Skin rashes such as dermatitis herpetiformis
Altered mental alertness and irritability
Bone and joint pains
Failure to thrive in children
Delayed growth or delayed puberty in children

[Jemstar]

I immediately thought of some kind of health issue too, coeliacs etc.

[wca]

Thanks for the replies A wheat/dairy sensitivity did cross my mind but I felt silly jumping to conclusions. There is some history of food sensitivities in the family though so it wouldn't suprise me. All I know is that something is not right, I don't know of any other kids her age who look that skinny and tired Also the fact that she is so different from my other two makes me wonder. I'm so keen to speak to the GP!

Anni xx

[wca]

Just saw your reply MyButterflyGirls, thankyou SO much for that info!! She ticks quite a few of those symptoms. Interestingon the bruises, her legs are covered in them at the moment and I even said to her tonight when she was in the bath "Look at your bruises Heidi, what happened there?" and she didn't know. Poor chicken.

Anni xx

[FluffyOscar]

Coeliac disease prevents absorption of B12, causing the symptoms you describe.

When my youngest DD was tested for it (blood test) the paed asked if we had German ancestry, there is some link there.

[wca]

FluffyOscar, thats interesting! I am half Swedish, I wonder if there's a link with the Swedes too?

[FluffyOscar]

Yeah it's possible, though the reason why isn't clear. Just a prevalence among some races. I'm not even sure why he asked me about it considering I look very Italian. Anyway, let us know how you go. I'll be thinking of you.