6 Year Old Has Had Bloated Belly Since Birth

i've seen something similar to this on a tv show on TLC, but i can't remember what the outcome was...of course!
my only advice is if you're not satisfied with what her doc is telling you or how she approaches your situation, feel it your duty as your daughter's advocate to find a doctor that will truly listen to you and help you find out what's going on, other than tell you something that will keep you temporarily satisfied and forget about it when you leave the office. even if it means seeing 10 different docs to find out what's really going on with her.(i know with the economy & crazy insurance policies it's hard to do)
i only say this b/c a lot of people just trust whatever their docs tell them. it's hard for people to question them or get second opinions. remember, they are just regular people who went to school for a really long time! :)

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My concern would be the multiple bladder infections and desenitized bladder. Does she see a urologist ? I know from experience that those problems can cause weight gain and a tummy on kids. I would be getting a 2nd opinion and just checking things out a little more.

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Has she been tested for food allergies? Celiac and other food allergies usually cause weight loss, but I have read some instances of where they cause weight gain in spite of activity levels and food intake. Good luck! I hope you are able to find a cause for it.

Oh, i just feel for your daughter. You may want to consult with your pedi to see if their is a nutrionist/dietitian that you could work with. There might even be another solution other than this; however, it is better to intervene now verses waiting.

I don't know if this could be related, you'd have to see what the dr says and compare stories. My son had a birth defect called Hirshsrungs Disease. It is where a part of his intestines did not have any nerves connected to it so nothing was going through cause it couldn't push all the stuff down. Sinse birth(this is when we found it at 11 days old)he had been throwing up green stuff,was not able to have a bowel movement ,his belly was extened out (he was so bloated) that you could see every vein in his tummy and he wouldn't eat anything. I was doing some research on this Disease and I found that some people don't even know that they have it.They can go all their life and not know it. The only symptom they have is severe constipation. Don't know if this is worth mentioning to the dr. I hope you find out how to manage what ever is going on with her. Good Luck!!

ok, I used to have this problem with my two little boys...always more when they were little-like babies...I buy this tea called Manzanilla...I believe it is also called Chamomile Tea...you can find right in your Lipton ile...boil it as you would regular tea and add a sweetener to it...sugar, honey or syrup...which ever you prefer...let it cool and have your child drink it...I don't want to sound disgusting but it might make her go to the potty...might...im confident that she will feel better after so many cups...especially with the bloating...she can drink a few cups a day if she can stand it but I suggest a cup a day until you know exactly how it makes her feel...it has a very potent tast but it works for me and my kids even till this day...
God Bless,
E.-mother of 2 glorious boys Antonio-9 & Adam Efrain-3

i saw the TLC show that was mentioned before and I think it was what Rachel N. was talking about, but when I first read your post it immediately reminded me of that show. it certainly wouldn't hurt to check it out. From what I remember the boy on the TLC show had the last portion of his intestine that could not contract properly and therefore his body would not push out the poop. causing sever constipation, as well as the distended belly and other issues... good luck, but keep asking the Dr's till you get an answer, even go to the ER if you have to! ps for now you might want to turn the tv off, I hate Diet commercials, my sons told me I needed one of those pills on time and I freaked out! I'm a very thin person and in no way need to lose weight but those commercials just try to convince you that if you don't take their product you are not worth anything, we quit watching so much tv for a while,

good luck!

Have you tried an elimination diet? You might want to try removing glutin just to see how she does. Her GI symptoms sound like my niece with Celiac. Her initial blood test was negative, they did more extensive testing to diagnose the Celiac. Glutin is in everything, and if she's sensitive (even if she's not Celiac) it could very well cause her symptoms.

D.,
Have any of her doctors tested her thyroid, pituitary gland, or cortisol levels? If not then I would get her in to see a Pediatric Endocronologist.
Has she had a colonoscopy? You should also check into that as well.
Good luck
H.

Hi, D.! It sounds like she could have food sensitivities. A doctor in Grapevine would be perfect in helping you figure out exactly what's going on with your daughter. His name is Constantine Kotsanis and, though he's not a pediatrician, has about a 70% pediatric patient-base. His phone # is ###-###-####. Please give him a call for more information. Good luck!

I agree with the other Mom's D.. Wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion just to offer you piece of mind. Also I would suggest you get your child on a good probiotic daily. I have a small health and wellness business and I see where probiotics can often help folks. I would suggest you call the doctors office and see what they think of that idea. There are digestive enzymes that might help your daughter as well.

Take a look at what pre and probiotics are: http://www.shaklee.net/healinghappens/product/80638
I am a huge believer in them. The pill is teeny tiny and easy to swallow, even for a 6 year old. Probiotics help build immunity. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she says. I know probiotics can give you what you need to avoid yeast infections, but not sure about the bladder...

By the way. I think a pouchie little tummy on a little girl is cute. I know it must have broken your heart to hear your 6 year old worrying about weight. My son was on medication at that age and it made him gain weight. He didn't even want to wear a coat as he thought he looked "fat." We of course told him he was not fat and looked great. He is a healthy 18 year old now with no thoughts of those 6 year old days.

Hang in There,
P.

I agree with Abbi. I myself was tested for Celiac's Disease when I was suspicious and the "blood test" came back negative. A year later, when all the signs were still there, a new holistic doctor ran a stool test (saying the blood tests are often not accurate) and "tah-dah" it came back with positive results for gulten intolerance. (I guess you could call it a milder form of Celiac.) I have cut out gluten and feel soooo much better! Since you have already gone the route of traditional medicine, I SO highly recommend you seek out someone with alternative methods. One doctor I swear by is Dr. Rodney Russell in Southlake. He is amazing and a gifted healer. And he is very up on all kinds of problems as such.

Bless you! I really hope you find your answers.

S.

D.,

You need to take her to all kinds of dr until they can figure out what is wrong with her! I know my daughter is allergic to milk and soy and she becomes very bloated and gassy and constipated when she has milk or soy products. This might have something to do with it, but I'm not a dr...but bodies don't act in this way unless something is wrong! I am 27 years old and have had 3 bladder infections in my whole life and they were all after I turned 20. I didn't even know 6 year olds got bladder infections. Best of luck!

she may be allergic to milk or milk products. when i have too many products with milk i become bloated and constipated, when my son has to many milk products he becomes constipated until he poops and it is green.