Weight loss in children needs quick attention. Failure to thrive, poor weight gain, and sudden weight loss can be from many things. These might include medical issues, diet problems, and mental health. Parents must know the possible causes. They should work closely with their child's doctor. This ensures their child grows up healthy. In this article, we'll look at why children might lose weight. And, offer advice for parents.
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| Causes of Weight Loss in Pediatrics |
What are the causes of weight loss in children?
- Failure to thrive, poor weight gain, and weight loss can affect between 1 to 5 percent of children.
- In more than 90 percent of cases, the issue is that the child isn't taking in enough calories.
- Most children who are failing to thrive are diagnosed by age 3.
- Underlying medical conditions, dietary issues, and psychological factors can all contribute to weight loss in children.
- Early intervention is crucial to address the issue and ensure the child's healthy growth and development.
Understanding Failure to Thrive and Poor Weight Gain
Failure to thrive (FTT) is when children don't grow or gain weight as they should. This happens when they eat too few calories. It affects kids of all ages and can lead to serious concerns.
Defining Failure to Thrive
If a child's weight falls more than two percentiles on the growth chart, it's concerning. Also, if they're below the 80th percentile in weight for their height/length, it's a red flag. A z-score of -1 or lower can show weight isn't what it should be. This means the child might be at risk for not getting enough nutrition.
Common Causes of Inadequate Calorie Intake
Many things can cause FTT, such as issues with feeding, malabsorption, and certain health conditions. A child may not get enough calories, or they might lose or not absorb them properly. Issues leading to FTT often appear before a child turns 2, but it can happen at any age.
Diagnosing and Evaluating Failure to Thrive
Diagnosing FTT means looking at a child's medical history and doing tests. In the U.S., up to one in ten kids in regular care and about five in a hundred at the hospital show signs of FTT. How often it's spotted depends on the doctor. The reasons for FTT may change with the child's age and what's causing it. Different causes could be not eating enough, not absorbing food well, needing extra energy, or a mix of these. FTT risk factors include emotional issues or medical problems. No set lab tests can always spot FTT. It's crucial to start treatment after a full check-up.
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Causes of Weight Loss in Pediatrics
Underlying Medical Conditions
Many health issues can cause children to lose weight. These include not drinking enough water, viral infections, lack of food, feeling sad, and more.
Some health problems make it hard for the body to absorb nutrients, such as not tolerating dairy or celiac disease. If the body doesn't make enough of a certain hormone, like in Addison's disease, weight loss can happen too. Plus, diseases such as cancer use up a lot of the body's resources, which can lead to losing weight.
Other health troubles like diabetes and heart problems can also make kids lose weight.
Dietary Issues and Malnutrition
A small number of children don't grow or gain weight properly, and in 90% of these cases, it's because they're not eating enough. Kids from families with less money often face this issue more.
Some children might not eat enough because they avoid certain foods or don't like eating much, leading to weight loss or poor growth.
Psychological Factors and Eating Disorders
Weight change in children can lead to serious problems later.Trying to lose weight on purpose can have mixed effects; it's fine in some cases but needs to be checked closely for growing kids. As kids get older, they may try to lose weight because they don't like how their body looks or because they have mental health troubles.This becomes more common in teenagers and young adults.
Eating issues and not getting enough food can also be because of feeling very sad, or using drugs and alcohol.
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Conclusion
Weight loss in children is a tough issue that needs a lot of thought. It covers medical, diet, and mental areas. Parents should talk to the doctor to find the real cause. This helps make sure the child grows up healthy and strong. From 1997-1998 to 2015-2016, more kids have tried to lose weight, showing this is important.
Early help is key. If not treated, losing weight can hurt the child in the future. It can even lead to early death or heart disease. Doctors are important in finding the issue and making a plan to help the child. They also guide and support the family through this journey.
With the right help, children can get better and move forward. Between 1999 to 2010, there was a big change in how adolescents in different weight groups felt and ate. This shows we must look at their health and happiness together. Starting early and working with doctors can make a big difference. It points the child towards a brighter, healthier future.
