If we survey the most witnessed cases in a pediatric OPD, it would be about children not eating well or not feeling hungry. This worries almost every parent. This article talks about the most important reasons for appetite loss in children.
Introduction
Hello everyone! I am Dr. Mohammad Noor Alam Khan and I welcome you to Healthy Child.
People have been asking me questions about this topic for a long time, and I am finally here to share insights into why kids suffer from a sudden or incremental loss of appetite. Here, I will provide you with six causes of lack of appetite in children.
Appetite Loss Reason #1 Anemia
The most common and important reason for a child’s appetite loss or not eating is anemia. Anemia means low hemoglobin or even iron deficiency. We can say that iron deficiency causes anemia. However, apart from iron deficiency, many other things can cause anemia like beet and folate deficiency, so in broader terms, we can call it anemia or hemoglobin deficiency.
The deficiency of hemoglobin irritates children and the physiology of their natural bodies gets hampered. Their heartbeats also increase, causing them to feel tired. This results in complete appetite loss. Moreover, this is common because most children in India have anemia in infancy.
Now, what is infancy anemia? It is essentially suffering from anemia as an infant. If you visit my YouTube channel, you can check out a separate video on this topic that covers everything related to protecting your child from iron deficiency and improving hemoglobin levels. The video will tell you what anemia is in infancy, why it happens, and how to prevent it in children.
Regardless of whether you want to stop iron therapy, start it, or want to know the dosage to start it, this detailed video will help you understand how to go about it. You will essentially be equipped with all the information you need to overcome anemia in children.
Appetite Loss Reason #2 Worm Infestation
The next important reason for appetite loss could be the presence of worms in the stomach i.e. worm infestation. There can be Ascaris which we call roundworms, tapeworms, or pinworms which we also refer to as Chunne. Many types of worms can be present in the stomach. Well, what these worms do is that they live inside the stomach, multiply, and sometimes fill the intestines.
The second thing they do is irritate the intestines, cause pain in the stomach, and give a feeling of fullness to a child’s intestines. Due to this, the child does not feel hungry. Also, if the child eats anything, worms absorb it and suck all the nutrients due to which the child’s weight does not increase and they get anemia.
Anemia, as I mentioned above, kills the appetite. So, worms in the stomach only make things worse. To cure this, you need to keep giving deworming medicines to your children, which we call Alban Joll, every six months. I have made a separate video to explain the dosage, frequency, and at what age these medicines should be administered. You can check it out for more understanding of worm infestation.
Appetite Loss Reason #3 Constipation
The next reason is constipation. It can happen if your child is not potty trained properly or is suffering from thyroid deficiency. Some other reasons include not eating adequate food after six months or drinking less water. This constipation, starting in the lower intestines, gradually worsens. As it progresses, it affects the baby more significantly. Due to the baby’s intestines being full, bowel movements do not occur properly, causing discomfort and pain in the baby’s stomach. This results in the child being fussy and uncomfortable.
So, if your child loses appetite but there are no signs of anemia and everything else is fine, then they may be suffering from constipation. I have also made a separate video on constipation. After watching that video, you will be able to understand the complete treatment of constipation and treat your child accordingly.
Appetite Loss Reason #4 Screen Time
The fourth important reason is screen time i.e. more TV and mobile usage You see, when your child looks at a mobile phone or TV, they get so lost in it that they don’t pay attention to the body’s natural cues. For example, they don’t understand if there is a signal to evacuate, urinate, or even eat. There are many such signals that the body gives but children ignore them. They end up holding their urine, stool, and even hunger. After repeating it several times, the cues start reducing and children lose their appetite.
Moreover, when they hold their stool for a long time due to TV or mobile phones, it leads to constipation, leading to appetite loss. Moreover, due to excessive screen time, children are distracted, which leads to stress on their bodies, resulting in further appetite loss and weakness.
If your child has anemia, it can lead to hunger issues and increased stress. To address this, you can check out my video on ways to reduce screen time for children, including TV and mobile usage. You may be thinking that I have videos on every topic, and you’re right. I’ve covered a wide range of subjects to help parents feel empowered when it comes to caring for their little ones.
By watching the key videos on my channel, you can become proficient in parenting and receive expert advice without needing to visit a doctor. You’ll be able to apply this advice yourself and even share it with others. So, if you find a useful video on my YouTube channel, search for the topic and watch it.
Now, let’s move on to our next point.
Appetite Loss Reason #5 Illness
The fifth reason for a child’s appetite loss is recent illness or recovery from illness. If your child has been sick, such as with a sore throat, mouth ulcers, intestinal problems, swelling, gastritis, IBD, lactose intolerance, or any illness from the mouth to the urinary tract, their appetite can decrease. Additionally, if your child has recently recovered from illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhea, or viral fever, their hunger might still be suppressed. As they regain their natural strength and health, their appetite will return.
Appetite Loss Reason #6 Nutritional Deficiency
The sixth and final reason for today is a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. Our bodies need a variety of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, cofactors, and proteins to function correctly. If any of these are lacking, the body’s machinery won’t work properly, leading to tiredness and reduced appetite in your child. To prevent these deficiencies, provide a balanced diet and, if necessary, start multivitamins and mineral supplements or syrups with your doctor’s advice.
For parents who feel their child eats less or has a reduced appetite, you should do two things: monitor the child’s weight and plot their height and weight on a growth chart to see if they are within the ideal range. I’ve also made a video on how to obtain and use a growth chart. Download and print the chart, then plot your child’s height and weight. Alternatively, visit a pediatrician for a health assessment. If your child’s growth is below normal or if they are losing weight, consult your doctor to improve their diet.
Bottom Line
I hope you found this article helpful. If you did, please share it with your loved ones so that they can also be equipped with all the right information to help their kids. Let us know in the comments if your children are eating properly. Keep trusting Healthy Child to be your guide to ensuring your child is healthy and happy. Thank you.
