4-YEAR OLD Boy Almost Overnight Develops a Bloated Stomach.

Updated on January 07, 2017
F.S. asks from Schenectady, NY
8 answers

Previous symptoms: flu, diarrhea, for two days. X-ray showed lots of poop. Was put on resoralax. Poops plenty but still bloated. Now showing bulging testicles. Put on child dose of antibiotic. Very troubled grandparents.

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So What Happened?

Antibiotics have somewhat reduced swelling of the scrotum. The Restoralax was prescribed about two days after his flu, but then the bloating appeared. So he was taken in for X-rays, which showed the boy to be plugged up. He is able to poop several times a day, most of them quite normal, but the swelling is still a concern. He was taken back to the hospital when his scrotum swelled. His general demeanor is normal. He does not complain of any pain whatsoever. He often goes to the washroom with the urge to poop, sometimes going a bit, sometimes normal, and other times not at all.

Muchly appreciate the comments and the time people are taking to provide helpful answers. The parents have taken their son to outpatients three times now, and have following whatever advice given to them by the doctors. As grandparents, we are concerned that the bloating is abnormal, following by the enlarged scrotum, and now tonight what could be described as a water blister near the top of his penis. The antibiotics must be having some effect, as the parents are reporting that the scrotum is down half the size it was.

He is completely off dairy products, as advised by the doctor. Although he did have a heavy diet of yogurt and cheese and noodles and bread and other dairy products prior to this. He is and always has been heavy on fruits and vegetables and always presented as a specimen of health. This is what most troubles us. It's frightening. My daughter, the boy's mother, and her husband are equally concerned.

Also, we are Manitobans, not from New York or Minnesota, but the site won't allow us to insert a Province.

UPDATE: The boy was once again taken to outpatiets as swelling on his penis increased. Ultrasound showed him full of fluids where they should not be. Parents are taking him into Winnipeg tonight to see a specialist in the morning. Kidney is suspected.

Featured Answers

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M.G.

answers from Portland on

Sounds like gas trapped which can happen if constipated. Very painful I'm guessing. He needs to go back to see pediatrician. Lots of water when taking restoralax.

More Answers

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I am sure there is a children's hospital nearby. Encourage the child's parent to take him to the hospital.

3 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I agree about a children's hospital or at least a pediatric gastroenterologist. However, since it's the weekend, a standard appointment will take a while to get. Is the pediatrician monitoring the progress, at least by phone, on a daily basis? If not, have the parents call in, even on the weekend.

One question to have the parents ask is whether he should take a stool softener. If things aren't moving, he may need help there, as well as extra fluids. I also think they should get some advice on how to prevent this from occurring in the future. I think his diet should be looked at very seriously - but that's immediate as well as down the road after this problem is solved. The standard BRAT diet for diarrhea (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) should be avoided, I would think, for right now. No cheese to bind him up further. Probably prunes and fiber products should be as well - but again, have the parents consult with the doctor who knows what else is going on and has seen the x-rays. Sometimes a warm bath helps a child relax - and kids this age and older often hold their poop in, especially if it has been hurting when they go due to constipation.

And perhaps more detail x-rays or other scan would tell them more. Is there a kink in the intestines, for example?

But it does take a while for the antibiotics to kick in, and if he's been working on a big infection, it's not going to go away immediately. The fact that his behavior is normal is encouraging.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I really hope those who are responsible for this child have taken him to a hospital.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I've been a grandmother for 16 years. I've learned the necessity for trusting parents and to only give advice when asked for it. I don't know if you're questioning you grandchild's care or if you're hoping for reassurance that your grandson will be OK.

Your grandchild's parents are getting medical care for him. I wold express my concerns but say nothing that they might feel as criticism. Young parents are often defensive.

Your description of your grandson's condition, though troublesome, does not indicate that the doctor is missing something or that he should do something different.

My grandson was chronically constipated until he was 6 or 7. His parents were advised to be sure his diet did not include foods that tended to constipate. Milk products were eliminated while fiber and liquids increased. He was given miralax. Even with this change he still had difficulty with constipation.

Constipation can increase gas. I'm not surprised that your grandchild continues to have gas. It takes time to treat ongoing constipation. Having abdominal swelling is to be expected. You said your grandchild does not seem uncomfortable. To me that indicates that what the parents' are doing is working.

Perhaps talking directly with the doctor will reassure you. My daughter often includes me in medical appointments. You could ask. Be sure what you say shows support and not criticism.

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

diarrhea and a laxative?
who put him on the antibiotic?
i'd be troubled too.
this would be urgent care or the ER for me.
ETA would have been nice for even a little of all the pertinent info included in the SWH to be in the original post.
khairete
S.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Thank’s for your question F..

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A.K.

answers from Dover on

I suggest gasx because it will interfere with any of the other medications he's on. I would get a second opinion for the scrotum and make sure that it's not a hernia.

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