Strong Odor of Popcorn from My Son's Bowel Movements
I'm reaching out as a parent to express my concerns regarding my six-year-old son who weighs about 45 pounds, although I'm uncertain of his exact height. He faces several health challenges due to a rare genetic condition known as MECP2 duplication syndrome, along with a Blake pouch cyst, asthma, eczema, chorea, epilepsy, developmental delays, and low muscle tone. Additionally, he experiences episodes of both constipation and diarrhea and is at an enhanced risk for pneumonia. Currently, he is non-verbal, requires diapers, and is unable to walk due to the regression of his condition, which has significantly affected his quality of life. I anxiously ponder his prognosis, especially as his health has noticeably deteriorated since last November. In November, we noticed a disturbing change in his bowel movements; they emit an extremely strong odor resembling artificial buttered popcorn, pervading our home for hours afterward. This unsettling scent seems to be linked to butyric acid, as its association is quite evident. Accompanying this new symptom, there has been an increase in his seizure frequency, a notable decline in his balance, skin rashes and itching, failure to thrive, mottling of the skin, and occasional cyanosis, even though his oxygen and hemoglobin levels remain within normal limits. He now takes numerous medications for his seizures, which appear to have limited efficacy, and he has started wearing a helmet to protect himself from falls due to his poor balance. I've brought the unusual odor of his bowel movements to the attention of his medical team, but my impression is that they are mainly focusing on controlling his seizures rather than addressing the gastrointestinal aspect. At one point, we noted his calprotectin levels were slightly elevated, but they have since returned to normal, and there's been no indication of C. difficile infection. There must be an underlying issue contributing to the peculiar odor of his stools. I plan on requesting a lab requisition to investigate further, but I would greatly appreciate any insights or ideas on potential causes for this troubling symptom.
Answers (1)
3/25/2025, 7:10:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about the changes in your son's health, particularly the unusual odor of his bowel movements, especially given his complex medical background. This odor, similar to artificial buttered popcorn, can indeed be linked to specific metabolic changes or gastrointestinal issues.
Explanation
The strong popcorn-like smell is often associated with the presence of butyric acid, which can arise from certain undigested foods, increased fermentation in the intestines, overgrowth of specific gut bacteria, or malabsorption issues. Given your son’s history of constipation, diarrhea, and the challenges posed by his genetic condition, there could be a few potential causes for this symptom.
Additionally, the increase in seizure frequency and other symptoms you’ve noted (like skin rashes and failure to thrive) suggest that his current medications or overall health status could be affecting his digestive system. This could include how his body is processing food and how well it absorbs nutrients.
Next Steps
-
Monitor and Document: Keep a detailed diary of his bowel movements, noting any patterns or changes in odor, consistency, and frequency. This will help identify triggers or correlate with dietary intake or medication changes.
-
Dietary Review: Consider reviewing his diet for any recent changes that might contribute to the odor, including any new foods that may cause malabsorption or fermentation, such as high-fiber foods or dairy products.
-
Request Specific Tests: When discussing with his medical team, request specific gastrointestinal evaluations, such as:
- Comprehensive stool analysis to check for malabsorption or bacterial overgrowth.
- A breath test to evaluate for conditions like fructose malabsorption or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
-
Evaluate Medications: Discuss the current medications with his doctors. Some medications can affect digestive health or gut flora, which could lead to unusual bowel odors.
-
Seek a Gastroenterology Consultation: Given the complexity of his symptoms, and if you feel his current doctors are not addressing your concerns, consider asking for a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist. They specialize in issues related to digestion and can offer more targeted insights into his stool odor and overall gastrointestinal health.
I recognize how challenging this situation is, especially with the additional health challenges he faces. It's important to advocate for your son's comprehensive care, both for his neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. If you need assistance in preparing for discussions with his medical team or have follow-up questions, feel free to reach out.
Related Questions
Seeking Answers for Unusual Stool Appearance
A 41-year-old woman, who has been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and takes Synthroid along with a daily dose of vitamin B12 and a weekly intake of vitamin D, is contemplating visiting a gastroenterologist. She often experiences bloating, particularly after consuming raw vegetables and green foods. Recently, she noticed a strange, string-like substance in her stool, which has left her feeling alarmed and anxious. She would greatly appreciate any guidance or insight on this matter.
Persistent Itching and Burning Around Neck and Scalp - Should I Keep Using Cephalexin?
Greetings, I’m a 35-year-old female. I recently developed a rash that began on the back of my neck and subsequently spread to my ears. After consulting with my physician, I was prescribed ketoconazole shampoo to address a suspected fungal rash. Despite using it diligently for four days, the condition actually aggravated, affecting my ears, the back of my neck, and my scalp more significantly. Seeking further assistance, I visited an urgent care facility where the medical staff suggested that I might be experiencing bacterial folliculitis. As a result, they prescribed cephalexin, which I am to take at a dosage of 500mg three times daily for a week. I took my first dose yesterday, yet the intense itching and burning sensations persist without improvement. Is it advisable for me to continue the medication? How long does it typically take to see improvement? Is it common to experience these symptoms alongside bacterial folliculitis? I appreciate your time and any guidance you can provide on this matter!
Dealing with Possible Epididymitis
A male, aged 40, standing at 5'9" and weighing 10.5 stone, presents a health concern. He has a history of smoking but refrains from alcohol consumption. For several years, I've grappled with a weakened bladder. However, over the last year or two, I've been experiencing intense discomfort in my right testicle. Initially, I thought I discerned a lump, prompting me to reach out to a physician. Unfortunately, the advice I received was limited; the doctor recommended an STI screening without conducting any examinations. I complied with the test, which returned negative results. Although the pain subsided briefly, it has now returned with greater intensity. I have undergone blood tests focusing on kidney, bladder, and prostate functions, all of which yielded normal results. Now, the medical team is leaning towards a diagnosis of epididymitis. The pain is excruciating and difficult to endure. I’ve scheduled an appointment for a prostate and testicular examination, which may lead to an ultrasound scan or possibly a urethral procedure to eliminate any serious underlying issues. The thought of the forthcoming examination fills me with anxiety, as I'm certain it will be painful. I'm curious if anyone has experienced epididymitis and what outcomes you faced, including any surgical interventions that may have been necessary.
Concerns Regarding Neck Pain After Lifting Incident
I’m a 27-year-old man, standing at 174 cm and weighing 63 kg, residing in Australia. Earlier today, I attempted to lift a heavy case using only one hand. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was unlatched, and when it opened unexpectedly, I felt significant stress in my lower neck and upper shoulder area. Approximately four hours later, I began to experience a pulsating discomfort on the left side of my neck, extending from beneath my ear down towards my collarbone. I have a medical background of neurological issues related to my vision, along with episodes of facial drooping that are currently under investigation. After the initial neck discomfort (which subsided quickly), I noticed a resurgence of blurriness in my vision. Could this incident have caused an injury to my neck that might be aggravating my neurological symptoms? Is there a chance that this situation could be a vascular emergency?
Struggles with Eating Habits Leading to Digestive Issues
Hello, I'm truly at a loss and desperately seeking guidance. I’m a 16-year-old female who has been engaging in restrictive eating for around five months. Over the last couple of months, my situation has deteriorated, leading me to consume very few calories daily—between 200 and 600. As a result, my BMI has dropped from 18.6 to 15.8, and I've begun to experience concerning health issues. I've noticed symptoms such as bradycardia with occasional irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, a decreased white blood cell count, unexpected bruising, constant feelings of coldness, and persistent fatigue that makes even walking up stairs feel exhausting. Additionally, my skin and knuckles are particularly dry, I've missed my period for a month, and I've faced challenges with my bowel movements. Typically, there’s a six-day interval between my trips to the bathroom, but this week, things seemed to improve until today. I found myself in an embarrassing situation—I had to step out of a show halfway through because I experienced diarrhea. When I confided in my mother about these bowel irregularities, she suggested that my eating habits might be the culprit for both my weight loss and the absence of my period. She inquired if I had weighed myself recently, and although I had just checked this morning, I said no. My mind is constantly telling me that I’m not sick enough, yet this experience left me feeling humiliated and frightened. I feel uncertain about what it would mean to admit that I’m struggling and worry about losing the control I have over my eating habits. What are the consequences of revealing to my mother how little I’ve been consuming? Currently, I’m receiving support from CAMHS for depression—maybe this context is useful. At the moment, my diarrhea has subsided (I think), but my stomach still feels off. I’m left questioning whether this is something that requires urgent medical attention or if it will resolve itself.