He hears a health talk in school and decides that if fat is bad and too much sugar is bad and exercise is good, he will take all of the advice and do the best job of anyone in his class. He first cuts out all fast food, then all sweets, then red meat, then eggs and then milk and cheese. He starts running one mile a day and works up to running 10 miles a day. He is irritable and yells at his parents when they suggest that he should be eating a more well-rounded diet. He is at risk for developing fatal arrhythmias abnormal heart rhythms , osteopenia thin bones , very low testosterone, arrested growth and arrested physical development.
Joe could just as well be Jennifer, and could be 8 years old or 14 years old or 17 years old. In girls, in addition to the complications mentioned above, menstrual periods can be delayed and not begin when they would be expected to, or can stop after being regular for months or years. Severely malnourished girls will usually have estrogen levels in the range of a woman who has gone through menopause.
Weight Loss in Children Can Be a Danger Signal
Rapid, excessive weight loss is a shock and stress to the body that sends the same message to the brain; all energy needs to be conserved. It is recommended that if parents notice any of the following, a visit to the pediatrician should be scheduled. Some of the symptoms and signs to watch out for are:.
She is also a professor of clinical pediatrics at UC San Diego. She can be reached at or jadams ucsd. Find a Doctor. About Us. Community Programs.
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Video Visits: Telemedicine. Safe Sleep Practices. Pay Your Bill. Financial Assistance. For example, has your child recently joined a competitive sports team? Yes, my child has been exercising more. No, my child has not been exercising more. Click here to go to the next question. Increased exercise, such as in a competitive sport, can sometimes lead to weight loss in children. You should make an appointment with your doctor in the next week or so to talk about this possibility. However, in order to cause weight loss, the amount of exercise would need to be significantly more than your child had been previously doing.
Yes, one or more of these is happening. Stress and depression can cause weight loss in children. It's good that your child isn't showing obvious signs of stress or depression, but it's important to remember that the signs can be subtle. Talk to your doctor if you ever think your child might be anxious or depressed. None of these is happening, or my child is not an adolescent. It's not immediately clear why your child is losing weight.
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It's good that there are no signs of serious physical or emotional problems, but as we said before, weight loss is unusual in children and should always be investigated carefully. Call your doctor's office for an appointment within the next few days to begin that investigation. Your child may be using drugs. Talk to your doctor about the best way to figure out what is going on with your child -- and the best way to help him or her. Call your doctor for an appointment in the next few days to talk about what's going on with your child.
Your doctor may still want to do some tests to be sure the weight loss isn't due to illness or another physical problem. Making an appointment with a mental health provider is also a good idea. Your child's weight loss could be caused by an eating disorder. Eating disorders are becoming increasingly common.
They are seen not just in teenage girls but in younger children -- and in boys.
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Call your doctor for an appointment in the next few days to discuss whether your child has an eating disorder -- and what you can do about it. With medical and psychological help, most children with eating disorders can recover fully. Weight loss, swollen joints, and rashes can be a sign of rheumatologic diseases such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. He or she will likely order some blood tests and may refer you to a specialist. Childhood cancer is very rare, but it can cause these symptoms along with weight loss.
Sudden Weight Loss in Toddlers
Call your doctor today. With a few simple tests, he or she can be sure that your child isn't suffering from cancer. Your child's weight loss may be caused by having too much thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. Your child needs a thorough examination and blood tests. Call your doctor immediately. The cause of your child's weight loss may be diabetes. Your doctor will want to do blood and urine tests as well as a thorough examination.
Call your doctor now for an appointment. The doctor will examine your child and help you find the best way to make him or her feel better so regular eating and drinking can resume. Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
Along with the weight loss, does your child have any of the following? Call your doctor now. No, neither is true.
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Along with the weight loss, has your child had any of the following? Along with the weight loss, has your child been drinking and urinating much more than usual? Yes, much more than usual. No, not much more than usual.
When should you worry about a toddler's loss of appetite and weight? - Parenting Stack Exchange
Along with the weight loss, have you noticed any of these symptoms in your child? No, none of those symptoms. Are any of the following true of your child? No, none of these are true. A significant increase in exercise can sometimes lead to weight loss in children. Because of this, we suggest that you continue with the guide.