Weight fluctuation in children is a common part of normal growth and development. However, when a child's weight unintentionally drops significantly, it may indicate one of a number of potentially serious causes, including emotional and digestive diseases. If your child demonstrates unintentional weight loss, seek guidance from your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor of any additional symptoms to improve the likelihood of proper testing, diagnosis and treatment.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a chronic condition that causes harsh bodily reactions to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, celiac disease is considered a common genetic disorder that affects over 2 million people in the United States, or approximately 1 in every 133 people. When children with the disease consume foods containing gluten, such as most breads cereals, pasta, crackers and cookies, their immune system rejects the food and triggers symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, pale colored or foul-smelling stool, or diarrhea. As a result, undiagnosed children commonly experience unintentional weight loss. Treatment for celiac disease consists primarily of adhering to a gluten-free diet. If you suspect celiac disease as the cause of weight loss in your child, seek proper testing from your doctor. Since celiac disease tends to run in families, family members of those diagnosed with celiac disease should seek testing, whether or not they observe symptoms.
Depression
Depression is a psychological disorder that causes elongated bouts of low moods, such as sadness, loneliness, anxiety or loss of purpose, in its sufferers. Substantial changes in a child's diet and appetite and resultant weight loss are common symptoms of the disorder. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, roughly 5 percent of children and adolescents struggle with depression at any given time. Additional symptoms of the condition may include fatigue, insomnia or excessive sleepiness, low self esteem, feelings of guilt, frequent absences or poor performance in school, and thoughts or talk of self-harming behaviors. Treatment for depression may include individual counseling, alternative therapies such as art or music therapy, and/or medication. If your child exhibits one or more symptoms of depression for more than two weeks at a time, seek guidance from a qualified professional.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the intestinal lining and other parts of the digestive tract. Though it most often develops in a person's 20s or 30s, some people exhibit symptoms during childhood. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, approximately 20 percent of Crohn's disease cases affect children. Many of these children experience unintentional weight loss as a primary symptom. Weight loss caused by Crohn's develops when the digestive tract is inflamed, causing malabsorption of nutrients and calories. Many Crohn's disease sufferers experience abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and, in some cases, vomiting. These symptoms result in loss of water, electrolytes (important salts in the body), nutrients and body weight. Some children continually lose weight, regardless of how much food they consume. Treatment may include medication, nutritional supplementation and/or surgery. Though Crohn's is a chronic disease, it can be managed and many people experience long-term periods of remission.
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