Worried About Toddler Daughter

[nanafur]

My almost 33 month old daughter's doctor told her father today that he is concerned that she is malnourished. She hasn't gown at all in a year and she was only 25% to begin with - now 3%. Like any mother I am really scared.

The doc said the likely cause is malnourishment but she eats - and not just junk food. She gets lots of fruits and eggs, beans, meats etc. She eats a full breakfast before daycare, eats another breakfast at daycare and then has 2nds and 3rds of meals the rest of the day. At school she's known as an eater.

Gluten problems are my first instinct because I have them. I have never tested possitive for celiac but I had a laundry list of symptoms before diagnosis and her issues remind me of my childhood. She also has chronic ear and sinus infections, bread cravings and soft diapers.

My biggest concern is that because I am not technically celiac that this issue won't be taken seriously. I am going to need some sort of doctors note to get the daycare (and my ex husband) to follow any special diet and am scared I wont be able to get it for intollerance. I was gene tested years ago and had 2 copies of an intollerance gene and have always responded great to the gluten free diet.

Any parents in similar place? What did you do? Are there tests I should be asking for?

Thanks so much for any support!

[mommyto2kids]

Could you explain this to your x? Would he be willing to try the gluten-free diet for her sake? If you get along at all, I'd try to talk with him. That sounds like your bigger challenge than the school. Good luck. It probably is celiac.

[Yup]

I can totally relate! I put my daughter through genetic testing and an endoscopie. She came back negative and only has one celiac gene. However, we noticed she had issues. We found a forward thinking doctor and had her food sensitivities done and she came back intolerant to gluten, dairy, eggs, beef, mustard, soy, ginger and certain beans. If you can take her to a naturopathic doctor and get a food sensitivities test done you'll finally be able to really put your mind at rest and start her on the right path.

Best of luck.

[CKC-Contributor]

You indicated some definate signs for a young Celiac child - an inheritable Gene, slow growth and digestive issues.

A child has enough challenges besides dealing with a Celiac Mental, Physical and growth issues. This also includes a higher Temperment, irratability and the uncomfortableness that comes with ingesting gluten. This was a big part of the socialability issues our pre-school child had before his diagnosis.

Being a father of 5 celiac diagnosed children and a celiac wife we have experienced the a widerange of child and adult lifestyle, physical and sensitivity issues.

Get the diagnosis done early!

• Physical damage and diseases - Most important this prevents the that can occur down the road for a undiagnosed Celiac or Gluten Intolerant as they grow older!

• Mental, Physcological, and Temperment issues - Removal of gluten from a Celiac or Gluten Intolerant youngster, lessen and or prevents these known gluten intolerant issues from occuring!

• Saves more money in the long run on misdiagnosed health and or gluten caused health issues!

Having the diagnosis in hand when you need it (always keep a copy!) helps to:

• Get support from educational systems,Care takers, emergency responders, medical personal\facilites and started early.

• Is needed to get a 504 plan in place if you need more assistance and support from these entities.

• Prevents a great deal of headaches, frustration and anguish by not having to go through the last minute process to get the support and or meet a deadline (that everybody fails to because of lack of time)

Yes, if Gluten intolerance or Celaic, it is something your ex and you should be involved in and understand for your childs sake. It will take advocating, dillegence and teaching skills from both of you to help get the support your child needs, to educate others, and to teach your child the lifestyle skills he\she will need to fend for themselves as a Celiac or Gluten Intolerant.

Learn more about this Gluten Intolerance from forums like this, other websites and become a member of a local support group\s.

Good Luck!

[nanafur]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your thoughts! I know a great MD who is also naturpathic in the area - I'm hopeful that if I can get my ex onboard with taking her their for testing that he will start to understand the issues. The biggest hurdle will definitely be getting him on board so he doesn't undermine any diet we put her on.

I dread the idea of my daughter growing up with the pain and discomfort I did when we could pretty easily change it for her. Thanks again!