Huge tummy in a skinny toddler.

[trus]

Hello!
My son is 20 months old. He is really skinny, but his tummy protrudes really bad. It looks really weird. Lately, my husband and I noticed that even his umbilical cord that used to be concave is now sticking out!

What is it? Does he have parasites or just badly constipated?

BTW, I suspect he has a severe case of candida. Also, when he poops, his poop smells awful and often looks completely rotten. Our 2 peds are impossible to get a test order from. They will give you a referral for a test only in extreme situation.

[sbgrace]

Is he constipated?

The poop description alone would make me want tested. What I would do (if you can) is call Metametrix lab and ask if they have doctors in your area who order tests from them. I'd go to that doctor and get a stool test for this kiddo. It will look at parasites, bacteria (smell is often that), digestion, problems w/dairy or gluten, and much more. The test is expensive and you have to pay upfront unfortunately. Our insurance did reimburse. I think some people have insurance agreements with Genova labs and if that's true of your insurance their stool tests would be good information too (though I think metametrix has superior technology). If you stool test take samples from every part of the stool--the very end is especially important for parasite samples.

My son had a big belly but I'm not sure it was that big and he was stocky built/50% weight/etc. I think his was toddler pooch and also swayback. He looks normal now. But I think what you're describing is beyond that? Does the pediatrician think it looks unusual?

[CarrieMF]

My middle dd was like that. Her stomach went down enough that we had to buy her new pants after we cut out milk. Her belly button still protrudes, my dr says all outies are small umbilical hernia's.

[ledzepplon]

I would add celiac disease as something to rule out. It can cause protruding belly, malnutrition, and bowel problems. It's also fairly common.

[babybun]

My DD who has Celiac had those symptoms (protruding belly, very skinny, constipation/stinky poops). It's worth checking!

[trus]

Originally Posted by sbgrace

Is he constipated?

The poop description alone would make me want tested. What I would do (if you can) is call Metametrix lab and ask if they have doctors in your area who order tests from them. I'd go to that doctor and get a stool test for this kiddo. It will look at parasites, bacteria (smell is often that), digestion, problems w/dairy or gluten, and much more. The test is expensive and you have to pay upfront unfortunately. Our insurance did reimburse. I think some people have insurance agreements with Genova labs and if that's true of your insurance their stool tests would be good information too (though I think metametrix has superior technology). If you stool test take samples from every part of the stool--the very end is especially important for parasite samples.

My son had a big belly but I'm not sure it was that big and he was stocky built/50% weight/etc. I think his was toddler pooch and also swayback. He looks normal now. But I think what you're describing is beyond that? Does the pediatrician think it looks unusual?

Thanks! I will definitely checki this out. Does this test check for candida?

[trus]

Originally Posted by ledzepplon

I would add celiac disease as something to rule out. It can cause protruding belly, malnutrition, and bowel problems. It's also fairly common.

How can I check for celiac? is it a blood test?
DS doesn't eat any wheat. He does it some rye bread every day though.

[deditus]

Originally Posted by trus

How can I check for celiac? is it a blood test?
DS doesn't eat any wheat. He does it some rye bread every day though.

The traditional test for celiac is blood test then biopsy to confirm. My dd had a bloated belly and she is gluten intolerant (non-celiac) and also soy, dairy, and egg intolerant but gluten was the one that caused the bloat. Gluten is in wheat, rye, and barley.

[Bri'sgirl]

My oldest son was born with a hernia in his lower abdomen. I can't remember the techinical name for it, but it is very common in little boys. Neither the doctors, nor us, even noticed it until he was around 1 1/2 years old. They said that it would repair itself as he grew older and strengthened his stomach muscles. He is 7 now and his stomach still sticks out a little.
Just a thought.

[trus]

I also notice on those days my son is irritable and tantrum-y he has red around his anus. I think it bothers him a lot. THe last time it was when he ate strawberry (I think the strawberries might have caused it, but I am not sure).

[trus]

he is constipated too, every time he poops, he pushes the stuff out.

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by trus

I also notice on those days my son is irritable and tantrum-y he has red around his anus. I think it bothers him a lot. THe last time it was when he ate strawberry (I think the strawberries might have caused it, but I am not sure).

that's a really common reaction with allergies. i would bet that your son is allergic to different foods more than i would think about candida.

can you get your ped to refer an allergy test? if not, i'd just pay for it out of pocket. and cut out strawberries in the mean time.