Symptoms of lack of growth in children
Symptoms of lack of growth in children
Contents
2 Symptoms of lack of growth in children
3 Reasons to see a doctor
4 ways to keep a baby growing
5 Treatment of lack of growth by providing counseling and support to the family
6 References
Stunted growth in children
Underdevelopment in children is defined as a delay in the physical development and weight gain of the child.
This, in turn, could lead to delays in the growth and maturation of the child.
The diagnosis of stunted growth is based on the values of the child growth chart.
The doctor also looks at the medical history and home environment of the child,
In addition to conducting physical examinations.
Symptoms of lack of growth in children
It should be noted that adolescents who have suffered from stunted growth in childhood do not show normal changes when they reach puberty.
Children with stunted growth suffer from lack of physical development and normal growth compared to their peers,
And the difference is clear between them and healthy children of the same age.
As they appear shorter and smaller than them,
Among the symptoms of lack of growth are the following:
- The weight, length, and head circumference of children with stunted growth mismatched with standard growth charts.
- Slow or stunted growth.
- Delayed development of mental and social skills.
- Delayed onset of secondary sexual characteristics.
- Excessive crying.
- Lethargy.
- Constipation.
- Excessive irritability.
- Delayed development of physical skills such as walking, rolling, and sitting.
Young children may also experience some symptoms related to lack of growth, including:
- Not accepting food.
- Have vomiting or diarrhea.
- Sleeping too long or too short.
- Faintly crying.
- Weight loss, or failure to gain adequate weight.
- Muscle stiffness or flexibility.
- Slow growth and development.
- The child’s lack of interest in what is going on around him.
- Laziness and lethargy.
- The child’s inability to make eye contact.
It is worth noting that there are many health problems whose symptoms are similar to those of lack of growth,
For example, some malnourished children may have problems gaining weight and slow growth.
Therefore, it is necessary to see a doctor to obtain a correct diagnosis.
The reasons for seeing a doctor
Medical help should be sought when the following changes are noticed in the child:
1-Decreased rate of child’s weight gain.
2-Problems with the child’s appetite to eat food, or if any change in the child’s eating patterns is noticed.
3-The child becomes irritable and cries quickly, and has difficulty comforting him.
4-Any of the signs of dehydration, such as:
- Crying without tears,
- dry mouth
- Lack of urination and can be detected by the number of diapers that the child wets daily.
5-The child sleeps for more or fewer hours than usual.
6-The child does not respond to what is around him.
7-Baby’s body swelling and skin discoloration.
8-Noticing any abuse of the child, whether physical or psychological.
9-Abnormal weight loss.
10-The child is not growing as expected.
11-The emergence of new symptoms in the child.
There is a group of symptoms that appear on infants and require a visit to the doctor,
Among them are the following:
- Anorexia.
- Weight loss.
- Have diarrhea.
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
In cases where it is observed that the child is having difficulty breathing, or if he passes out, urgent medical help should be sought.
Ways to maintain a child’s growth
Regular checkups are important to help detect growth deficiency in children.
There are also many tips that can be followed to help the child grow and develop properly.
Among them are the following:
First: Rest and sleep for a sufficient number of hours:
Children’s sleep patterns differ based on the child’s age and the nature of the child himself.
But most children need between 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night,
Sleep gives children’s bodies the comfort they need to grow well.
Second: regular exercise:
The children’s practice of enjoyable activities,
Like cycling or walking promotes health and fitness,
And it helps them maintain a healthy weight.
Third: Get a healthy and balanced diet:
A balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals helps children grow appropriately.
Drinking water and milk is also important for the growth and health of the child.
It is worth noting that the child should be fed sweets in appropriate quantities and at appropriate times as well.
Treating stunted growth with family counseling and support
In fact, there is no identifiable underlying cause for a child’s lack of growth in many cases,
This may be limited to the problem of nutritional deficiencies in the child, due to the amount of energy needed by his body,
Most cases of nutritional deficiency in children can be managed through counseling
Support for the family from a health care provider or dietitian,
Among the strategies and methods that can be taken into consideration to increase the amount of energy that a child over nine months old obtains:
First: the diet:
Provide the child with food for three main meals, in addition to two snacks every day.
1- Increase the amount of energy in regular foods, and this can be achieved by adding cheese, cream, or margarine.
2- Limiting the amount of milk the child consumes per day and reducing it to 500 ml / day.
3- Increasing the number and diversification of foods presented to the child.
4- Avoid consuming large amounts of fruit juices.
Second: Behaviors:
1- Offer meals at regular times, and eat them with the rest of the family.
2- Praise and compliment the child when he eats food, and ignore him in case he does not eat his food.
3- Avoid forcing the child to eat.
4- Limiting the time it takes to eat to 30 minutes.
5- Avoid scheduling conflicts between meals.
6- Parents’ keenness to eat their food with the child at the same time.
İmportant notice:
The content of the submitted articles, including all text, graphics, images, and other materials, is provided for educational purposes only.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice or professional diagnosis.
Moreover, the information on this website should not be taken as final medical advice in relation to any case or individual situation.
We strongly recommend that you always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health service provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition, your general health, or the health of your child.
References
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