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What Causes Appetite Loss In A Child Alonge With Swelling In Gums?
Question: my daughter is 5 years old. From past two weeks her intake of food has come down. She is not at all interested in food but able to consume junk food. I have noticed swelling in her mouth in gums and all near areas, it seemed she is getting her new tooth but not. Today i noticed her tongue is becoming pale and swollen and she is complaining of pain in her tongue. Overall she looks pale and reducing weight. She is around 15 kg. But active as such playing and jumping around. What can be these symptoms and suggest the way forward? Thanks a lot.
Brief Answer:
Fussy eaters frequent. Oral hygiene important.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on healthcaremagic. I have gone through the details provided by you. Incidentally this is a problem that many parents face. Many children are fussy eaters and there is no single way out that can be suggested. Since she is otherwise active, I would not think of any major pathology.
If your child is consistently growing taller and gaining a healthy amount of weight, there is no cause for concern. You can be a better judge in this regard as the gain in weight is more significant than the weight itself. Her ideal weight for this age should be 17-18 kg. A few things that you could do are:
1. Maintain a regular meal time. Eat together. Avoid distractions like television.
2. Take her along when you go out to fetch grocery. Ask her to choose fruits and vegetables and at home use those to make items she suggests.
3. Give high fibre food items. Give curd or yogurt.
4. Avoid junk food by maintaining a food discipline.
5. Do not force the child to eat. That will complicate things further.
6. Deworm on yearly basis by giving two doses of albendazole at a gap of 2 weeks.
Also get her haemoglobin level checked since you mention that her tongue looks pale. You may also get the thyroid profile checked. Also get her checked by a dentist. It could be due to improper teething or due to bad oral hygiene due to intake of junk food. I am not sure whether the medicine you are giving, would actually give you any benefits.
The symptoms to watch out for, are:
1. Poor weight gain or height gain
2. Reduction in activities
3. Brownish discoloration of hair
4. Any fever or other signs of infection
In case you feel that things are not going fine, be sure to visit a pediatrician and get her examined.
Fussy eaters frequent. Oral hygiene important.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on healthcaremagic. I have gone through the details provided by you. Incidentally this is a problem that many parents face. Many children are fussy eaters and there is no single way out that can be suggested. Since she is otherwise active, I would not think of any major pathology.
If your child is consistently growing taller and gaining a healthy amount of weight, there is no cause for concern. You can be a better judge in this regard as the gain in weight is more significant than the weight itself. Her ideal weight for this age should be 17-18 kg. A few things that you could do are:
1. Maintain a regular meal time. Eat together. Avoid distractions like television.
2. Take her along when you go out to fetch grocery. Ask her to choose fruits and vegetables and at home use those to make items she suggests.
3. Give high fibre food items. Give curd or yogurt.
4. Avoid junk food by maintaining a food discipline.
5. Do not force the child to eat. That will complicate things further.
6. Deworm on yearly basis by giving two doses of albendazole at a gap of 2 weeks.
Also get her haemoglobin level checked since you mention that her tongue looks pale. You may also get the thyroid profile checked. Also get her checked by a dentist. It could be due to improper teething or due to bad oral hygiene due to intake of junk food. I am not sure whether the medicine you are giving, would actually give you any benefits.
The symptoms to watch out for, are:
1. Poor weight gain or height gain
2. Reduction in activities
3. Brownish discoloration of hair
4. Any fever or other signs of infection
In case you feel that things are not going fine, be sure to visit a pediatrician and get her examined.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Dear Dr.
Thank You so much for your answer; it was very satisfactory and guides me well. Since she is growing taller but not gaining weight, I should take her to the doctor for the detailed examination as you have suggested. Thank you so much for your guidance.
Regards
XXXX
Thank You so much for your answer; it was very satisfactory and guides me well. Since she is growing taller but not gaining weight, I should take her to the doctor for the detailed examination as you have suggested. Thank you so much for your guidance.
Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Glad to help
Detailed Answer:
I am glad that you found my answer useful. Please close the query with a 5 star rating and a positive review.
Glad to help
Detailed Answer:
I am glad that you found my answer useful. Please close the query with a 5 star rating and a positive review.
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. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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