Body odor in children can be a natural part of the growth process or an indication of more serious medical conditions. Sometimes, better personal hygiene is all that's necessary to combat body odor. For other conditions, it may be necessary to consult a specialist about treatment options.
Puberty
Body odor generally is not much of a concern for children until they enter puberty. At this time, the body changes from that of a child to an adult, and may experience rapid growth, changes in body shape, growth of body hair, breast development and increased sweating, which leads to body odor. According to the Mayo Clinic, puberty normally begins in girls between the ages of 8 and 12. Boys generally enter puberty between the ages of 9 and 14.
Premature Adrenarche
Some children may develop noticeable body odor if they begin puberty before what would be considered a normal time. This early onset of puberty is called premature adrenarche, or precocious puberty. Symptoms of premature adrenarche also include rapid changes in height and weight and possibly the development of breasts and body hair. This condition can affect the bones and cause a child to stop growing before he normally would. If your child develops this condition, see an endocrinologist for help.
Hyperhydrosis
Dr. Robert Needlman, a pediatrician writing on the Dr. Spock website, says some children just produce a lot more sweat than usual, even as babies. This condition is called hyperhydrosis. Needlman says children who suffer from hyperhydrosis may be completely healthy otherwise, but the excessive sweating can lead to body odor. He recommends daily baths with a deodorant soap and the use of a mild deodorant under the arms.
Metabolic Disorders
According to Dr. Robert Needlman, some children have odd or unpleasant odors from birth because their bodies make too much of a particular chemical. These chemical disorders are known as metabolic disorders or errors of metabolism. Children with metabolic disorders likely have other symptoms, too, such as very poor growth or seizures. Some of these conditions can be quite serious, so consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
Phenylketonuria
A musty odor in a child's breath, skin or urine can be a symptom of a birth defect call phenylketonuria, or PKU. According to the Mayo Clinic, children with PKU have a mutation in the gene that contains the instructions for making the enzyme the body needs to break down the amino acid phenylalanine. Too much of this amino acid can cause a variety of health problems. The Mayo Clinic reports that nearly all cases of PKU in the United States are found during routine newborn blood screenings.
Foods
Naturopathic physician and acupuncturist Dr. Leia Melead says that some foods may lead to body odor in children. She says that hormones added to regular cow's milk have been found to cause body odor in some children. Switching to organic milk may help. She also recommends experimenting with the elimination of certain foods from the diet, such as meat, eggs, dairy, wheat and corn to help control odor.
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