Diagnosis In Thailand?

[Guest Center for Kids in Need]

Hi,

I'm living in Thailand and looking after abandoned Burmese children. One baby in our care doesn't put on weight properly and since he eats solids and we tried all kind of baby cereals and other food as high caloric as possble, with no success. The child is eating 2-3 big plates of nutrious and balanced food and is wasting away in front of our eyes. I took him to the pediatric OPD and he got the diagnosis of "Nutrional Marasmus" and my questions what causes it stay unanswered as well as what I should feed him.

He has nearly all symptoms of celiac disease, so I tried to give him gluten free food and his bloated belly is gone, he can sleep, can pass stool without pain and his skin rash is gone as well. This seems to support my suspicions, but what can I do that this child puts weight on! He got last week diarrhoea and bronchtitis with fever and lost nearly one kg!

I need advice what to cook for him that he puts on some weight fast.

I cook from scratch for him, rice and potatoes and meat and vegetables plus bananas. The doctor advised me to give him 100% cow milk instead of formula. He gets multivitamins and a medicament against metabolic Acidosis.

[kareng]

I don't know much about this. If he still has stomach problems, a lot of people also have problems with milk. Don't take him off it unless he still has problems. Medications and vitamins can have gluten. If they are American made, I would be happy to try to call the companies for you. I know that is hard from where you live (time differences, long distance).

I bet that when he starts feeling better and playing more, he will want to eat more. If you can get an extra meal into him, like a snack, that might help.

Good luck. This baby is lucky to have you.

[scarlett77]

Hi,

I'm living in Thailand and looking after abandoned Burmese children. One baby in our care doesn't put on weight properly and since he eats solids and we tried all kind of baby cereals and other food as high caloric as possble, with no success. The child is eating 2-3 big plates of nutrious and balanced food and is wasting away in front of our eyes. I took him to the pediatric OPD and he got the diagnosis of "Nutrional Marasmus" and my questions what causes it stay unanswered as well as what I should feed him.

He has nearly all symptoms of celiac disease, so I tried to give him gluten free food and his bloated belly is gone, he can sleep, can pass stool without pain and his skin rash is gone as well. This seems to support my suspicions, but what can I do that this child puts weight on! He got last week diarrhoea and bronchtitis with fever and lost nearly one kg!

I need advice what to cook for him that he puts on some weight fast.

I cook from scratch for him, rice and potatoes and meat and vegetables plus bananas. The doctor advised me to give him 100% cow milk instead of formula. He gets multivitamins and a medicament against metabolic Acidosis.

Formula has a higher nutritional/caloric value than cow's milk I thought so I'm not sure that doctor is right. I would check the formula though seeing as I've heard of issues with formula not being gluten free. If he is over a year old and it is available in your area you might want to try some Pediasure which is a high calorie drink that is supposed to help fill nutritional voids in diet. Also, focus on high protein & high fat foods: beans, meats, oils, eggs, avocados, butter, etc. Literally add oil & butter to everything.

And I want to say bless you for doing what you are doing!