Anonymous wrote:Has anyone mentioned having the doctor run a celiac panel? My DC's growth slowed (height and weight) as a first sign of celiac disease. They had none of the usual stomach issues.

Seconding this recommendation. A lot of pediatricians associate it with GI issues but the "classic" presentation isn't always there, and you can have any combo of ~200 different symptoms (or none). Worth asking about bloodwork just to rule it out.

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is wise to get him to the pediatrician. I have a teen daughter who was dx’d with anorexia nervosa (restricting type) this past August. The red flag was at her routine checkup where her growth chart had changed patterns. When their own growth trajectory changes it is a warning sign. A few weeks later she admitted that she had been restricting (they are sneaky) and now she is in treatment for an ed at Children’s National.

She wasn’t often hungry because of her adhd meds and then liked the weight loss so also started restricting. She liked the sense of control it gave her. She is now on the long road to recovery.

The myth is that boys don’t develop ed’s. It’s just not true.

Thank you for this story. I am one of PPs with a son on ADHD meds that has fallen off his growth chart. I am trying to be very attuned to the possibility that an ED could develop in this situation. The good news for us, right now, is that he gained weight when we briefly stopped the ADHD meds, so I do think our primary issue right now is simply not being hungry and not liking being forced to eat when he's not hungry (which I totally understand, and would never do in the ordinary course, but he needs to nourish his body). Anyway, it can all be so complicated. He absolutely fell apart at school off the ADHD meds, so we are going back on and trying an appetite stimulant.

With your experience in mind, I will keep a lookout for signs that an ED might be at play if our interventions have no effect.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone mentioned having the doctor run a celiac panel? My DC's growth slowed (height and weight) as a first sign of celiac disease. They had none of the usual stomach issues.

This. I fell off the growth charts for height but never enough for weight to flag concerns. Did not have the typical stomach issues aside from minor constipation, but I had a history of foods I did not like because I associated them with feeling bad. Wasn't diagnosed until my 30s. We screened our kids as toddlers and my DS has it too.

Anonymous wrote:OP, it is wise to get him to the pediatrician. I have a teen daughter who was dx’d with anorexia nervosa (restricting type) this past August. The red flag was at her routine checkup where her growth chart had changed patterns. When their own growth trajectory changes it is a warning sign. A few weeks later she admitted that she had been restricting (they are sneaky) and now she is in treatment for an ed at Children’s National.

She wasn’t often hungry because of her adhd meds and then liked the weight loss so also started restricting. She liked the sense of control it gave her. She is now on the long road to recovery.

The myth is that boys don’t develop ed’s. It’s just not true.

I’m sorry. Good for you for being on top of things. EDs are so very complex.

Anonymous wrote:I'd discuss with his doctor, but wouldn't be too worried. My 12 year old son has not had a significant growth spurt yet, and has not gone through puberty. He is 57 inches tall and 74 lbs.

This is my just turned 12 year old too and my doctor is not worried. Just said “it’s coming.” He has body odor (has since 8ish) but no other signs of puberty. But OP’s kid needs to eat more. My kid likes smoothies with banana, strawberry, and almond butter. Chocolate milk is a good idea, too, OP. And more pizza, since he likes that.

OP, it is wise to get him to the pediatrician. I have a teen daughter who was dx’d with anorexia nervosa (restricting type) this past August. The red flag was at her routine checkup where her growth chart had changed patterns. When their own growth trajectory changes it is a warning sign. A few weeks later she admitted that she had been restricting (they are sneaky) and now she is in treatment for an ed at Children’s National.

She wasn’t often hungry because of her adhd meds and then liked the weight loss so also started restricting. She liked the sense of control it gave her. She is now on the long road to recovery.

The myth is that boys don’t develop ed’s. It’s just not true.

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for your thoughts. I'm getting this checked out asap. Its been worrying me for a year, but ped/Dh kind of told me not to worry. Now DH is worried. We are white...

DS just looks so young compared to his peers, like his face hasn't really changed either. He looks like he's 10.

Its hard to get him to eat more. I am trying but will be more determined about it.

He sleeps about 9.5 to 10 hours a night.

Mine fell off his growth trajectories (weight first, then height) starting around age 13. He seemed to be eating normally at home, but over time got pickier and pickier. Finally asked ped & psychiatrist (whom he was seeing for anxiety) to check for eating disorders. Everyone said it seemed ok & not to worry, but he kept not eating much and not growing.. Fast forward 3 years: just before this past Thanksgiving, DS finally admitted to me that he’d been skipping lunch (no snacks either) for the past ~3 years and binge-purging up to 7x per day since last Sept.

After bringing him in for a health check & explaining circumstances to pediatrician, his ped said - ‘your BMI is nice and low’! Wtf says this to a kid who has just been brought in for restricting to <1000cal/day? We are obviously changing peds; but relating this to let you know that there are a lot of licensed doctors out there who are utterly clueless about eating disorders.

Have it checked out by someone with a background in EDs. Anorexia & bulimia are sneaky diseases.

It’s worth checking out vs being sorry later. ESP if your parent Spidey sense is going off. Go go to eating issues group at Children’s or Inova.
Taking a loose definition of “eating disorder” a good book is how to nourish your child through an eating disorder- with helpful tips that can apply to all kids and nutrition
This is a key age for development (brain and body). As some who’s on the other side - worth at least investigating with a real informed doctor (many pediatricians aren’t well trained beyond what’s typical ranges) who knows the latest and best research… and not anecdotal or “in read once” DCUM advice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, all your kid's weight is from his bones.

I think proper nutrients and water, being outside, will help a person grow especially if they are children. I really think being outside as a child helps you grow in height. When you are outside, you are reaching for something, jumping, walking, running. The sun and fresh air helps your cells grow. I'm not saying they NEED to do sports but all the extensions help them grow in length.
And eating properly and eating a good amount will help them grow as well.
If your child is snacking alot or hungry in between meals, he/she did not eat enough. They don't have to avoid all the sugar and fat, they just have to monitor that sugar and fat is not in excess.

Do…do you think OP’s son is a plant?

(Will be 11 in may)