Concerns About My 12-Year-Old's Sudden Digestive Issues and Weight Loss
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out for some guidance. About a week ago, my 12-year-old son began experiencing diarrhea every time he ate. This lasted for roughly three days, followed by two days during which his stools became firmer but exhibited a thin, ribbon-like shape and had a peculiar clay-like hue. Unfortunately, the diarrhea has returned with a vengeance, occurring right after meals. We took him to the emergency room, where they conducted a stool analysis and an X-ray, both of which yielded normal results. Various pathogens were ruled out, including the Campylobacter group (C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari), as well as Salmonella, Shigella (S. sonnei, S. flexneri, S. boydii, S. dysenteriae), Vibrio (V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus), Yersinia enterocolitica, Shiga Toxins (1 and 2), Norovirus GI/GII, and Rotavirus A, all of which were negative. Today, his stool appears unusual and pale, a color I have never encountered before, and its shape is unlike anything I've seen. He mentioned it looked similar over the weekend and wanted to document it for the doctor. I'm also worried about his weight—last week he weighed 119 pounds and has now dropped to 113 pounds. I'm feeling quite lost about what steps to take next. Should we return to the hospital? What could potentially be behind these symptoms? Any insights or experiences that you can share would be greatly appreciated. I'm in the process of trying to get a referral to a specialist, as the hospital didn't provide one, and I'm contemplating whether to take him back and request additional testing.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 2:01:12 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds very concerning that your son is experiencing these digestive issues along with weight loss. The symptoms you're describing—persistent diarrhea, changes in stool color and shape, and significant weight loss—indicate that close monitoring and follow-up care are necessary.
Explanation
The symptoms your son is experiencing could be due to several factors, including dietary intolerances (like lactose intolerance), infections not covered in the initial tests, or gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. The pale, clay-like stool can be particularly concerning as it might suggest issues with bile production or flow, which can happen with liver or gallbladder issues. Weight loss at his age, especially when rapid, demands careful attention.
Next Steps
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Keep a Detailed Diary:
- Record what he eats each day, along with any symptoms immediately after meals, which could help identify potential food intolerances.
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Hydration:
- Ensure he stays well-hydrated, as diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Offer clear fluids like water or oral rehydration solutions.
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Notify His Pediatrician:
- Share the stool characteristics and weight loss quickly with his pediatrician. Given that dietary changes and potential serious underlying conditions must be explored, they might recommend further tests like blood tests, a referral to a gastroenterologist, or imaging studies.
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Consider a Food Elimination Diet:
- Under a doctor's guidance, you could try eliminating common allergens or irritants (like dairy, gluten, or high-fat foods) for a period to see if symptoms improve.
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Monitor for Additional Symptoms:
- Keep an eye out for any new symptoms such as fever, severe abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or lethargy. If any of these occur, seek immediate care.
It's understandable to feel lost during such a challenging time. You’re doing the right thing by seeking answers and staying vigilant about his health. Please keep the lines of communication open with his medical team for timely intervention.
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