Problems With Lack Of Gaining Weight

[SilverSlipper]

My daughter is 7 years old and very active for her age. She weighs between 38 - 39 pounds and is 42 inches tall. She was diagnosed in February of this year - her height was about the same, but at the time she weighed 34 pounds. Her gastro gave her a diagnosis of failure to thrive due to the Celiac Disease.

She adapted fairly well to the diet as she has always loved fresh fruits and veggies. The things that she misses (pizza, cheese biscuits, etc) I'm able to either bake myself or find mixes for. She never cheats although I have accidentally 'glutened' her a couple of times. The school is completely on board and we switched to her to eating lunch there a couple of weeks ago. They cook her food separate and heat it for her daily.

So I don't understand why she doesn't gain weight. The jump in weight after she was diagnosed happened fairly quickly and all at once and now we've "stalled" again. She eats three meals and three snacks daily. I know that individuals with celiac disease are usually low weight, but is her weight "normal" for celiac disease? And what happens if I can't get her weight any higher soon? I had set a goal for us to have her weight at 40 before school started. This wouldn't have put her back on the height/weight chart, but it was something that appeared do-able. It is such a struggle though.

She doesn't have other health problems and looks healthy (just small). Am I worrying over nothing? (Her next check up with our doctor will probably be next month).

[missy'smom]

It's hard to say, some of your questions are better off addressed to your doctor. I can say this, I've always been small and could eat all I want, tons of carbs and not gain weight, but if taper off on food just a bit or am sick a day, I loose weight. I didn't have active celiac disease as a kid, that was just my metabolism and it hasn't slowed down yet. Now I eat very pure, fresh foods that are naturally low in calories so that, combined with a few other things is keeping me quite thin and I don't make the weight charts. But according to doc. and alot of recent bloodwork, I'm quite healthy so he's not concerned. He said as long as I have enough energy and muscle tone/strength at this weight then no worry. I would say hang in there and keep doing what you're doing. It is hard work for me to maintain my weight too so I understand.

[Pattymom]

I don't have any answers, just similiar concerns. My ds 7 and dd 4 have been gluten free sinceI think March, and had initial wieght gain, then nothing. A little height growth, and then nothing. Doctor is worried about dd who had been to the endocrinologist and a GI, actually her blood work is all normal so far, it's so hard for me to know what to do. Ds, I keep insisting he's not gowing enough, he's had been 42lbs for a year (minus 8 lb loss and regain for Lyme disease last summer, but it's been a year since that resolved) he is now 45lbs. the doctor seems t think b/c his heigth kept increasing, she didn't want to refer him further. I took him off gluten and dairy on my own just to see, but it's not been the miracle we wanted. I'm hoping just more time and patience. ( plus I have gi consult for them shedulced again in February, first available appt., I"m hoping by then it will resolve or we'll have to do another work up.

similarly, they have no other signs of health issues, no abdominal issues, just low weight gain and height.

Patty

[ryebaby0]

These are questions for your doctor, of course. But try comparing her height/weight percentile curve, not the actual numbers. She may still be progressing, or maybe she _is_ stalled at a percentile that is unacceptably low. Another thing to check is her zinc levels. I had no idea, but apparently zinc is essential to growth, and if she was deficient at diagnosis she may need a supplement. (To check her zinc, she'll need a blood test). My son took a zinc supplement (oral, pink and not-bad, not expensive, but prescription) for several months after diagnosis. I agree, it seems like she should be gaining more, but keeping weight on child celiacs is a battle. Peanuts! Butter! Olive oil! Ice Cream! Those are our friends

joanna

[B'sgirl]

My neighbor used to give her daughter peanut butter rolled in powdered sugar as a snack to try and help her gain weight. You might try something like that, if you haven't already.