My son is very underweight and it has me terribly concerned!! -

My son is very underweight and it has me terribly concerned!!

My son Noah almost three in 2 months weighs in at 24 lbs and about 36 inches tall. He is not even on the weight scale and was diagnosed as FTT (Failing to thrive). This has me so concerned since he has other symptoms like excessive thirst, extremely cold hands, and has literally no body fat on his body anywhere! I read posts from parents about their children being underweight and I want to shout "YOu don't know what underweight is!!" I read posts about 2 year old's weighing 24 lbs. and I'm like are you serious? My son weighs that and is a year older! Does anyone or is anyone experiencing this problem? He is not a great eater but does eat. There is so much food in my home that his diagnosis is almost an insult!!

Written by Eva

Posted on 01/14/2008

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Answers:

My daughter is 2 & will be 3 on Feb 3. We have experienced the very same problem. I was tiny as a child. My 8 YO son is stocky. My 6 YO son is small for his age but never classified as FTT. My daughter was "labeled" about a year ago. I know that she eats her ppediatrician knows that, but she wanted to test her just to be sure. We saw a cardiologist to test for heart deficiencies, another dr for kidney abnomalities, gastroenterologist for digestive issues. We changed her diet, drank special milk to add calories and even gave her prescribed meds to increase her appetite. But that med had side effets that I didn't like nor did I think she needed especially after there was nothing wrong. The dr's w/rather be safe that they have examined all rather than overlook/miss something that c/have been treated. She was determined to be fine--just a small person. If she's hungry she eats. If she' not really hungry for a pyramid meal (starch, veggie, meat etc) I give her healthy food/snacks (apples, juice etc.) I always make food avialble for her. You worry in the beginning but learn to understand that some kids just don't eat 3 meals a day. Also my husband was offended by the dr's (cardio's) comment FTT. I didn't worry so much about it because I knew that my pediatrician was well aware that I take good care of my children. Hope this helps.

posted by Rhonda on 01/14/2008

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