Growth

Friday, we had Whit's GI appointment. I purposefully took Chap with us so that the doctor could see the size difference between Chap and Whit. However, when we got there - Chap decided to stay out in the waiting room and watch the crane "GO!" outside the huge TCH window. So, he and Ikie watched the crane, looked at fish, went through a "tunnel," and went for a walk.

All the while, Whit was being measured, weighed, blood pressure checked, etc.

His GI doctor was a little concerned about his weight - he gained nothing in 4 months, and even lost a few ounces. Generally, Whit drinks two cans of pediasure - one in the morning, and one at night. The nutritionist came in, and recommended an even higher calorie pediatric drink and wants us to give it to him three times a day! (She doesn't quite understand the stubbornness of Whit!) She gave us a few samples, and Whit gave it to my Mom on Saturday and said - "It's yuck!" SO... plan B...

The nutritionist said if that didn't work - we could add a certain amount of Carnation Instant Breakfast to his regular Pediasure to give him the caloric intake needed. So, today after naptime, we tried that. He drank it really well....actually, drained the cup! We gave him more tonight (at his request) and he drank most of it. He didn't finish it, but at least he drank some. So, maybe we're on to something here.

While we continue to boost his calories and attempt to help his growth from a nutritional standpoint, we are also going to begin the process of an Endocrinology referral to discuss possibilities from an endochrin standpoint. I did show Dr. Redel this picture so that she could see the size difference (since Chap wanted to stay with Ikie in the waiting room).

She was quick to realize they got different genes from the same gene pool. :o)

We also discussed the controversial issue of his iron deficiency. I say controversial, because the controversy lies between the doctors. She, from a health and nutritional standpoint, feels there is no need to treat his iron deficiency. However, his developmental neurologist does feel that it needs to be treated. We are scheduled for another blood draw mid-October, so hopefully his levels will be where they need to be. We did determine that it is okay to give him the vitamin with the iron in it. The iron supplement on it's own was causing him to eat nothing! When talking with the nurse with the developmental clinic, she was skeptical as to whether the iron was causing it. The GI doctor reassured me that it can cause a intestinal irritation, and when you have a kid that is hesitant to eat anyway - add that irritation to it - and it can most definitely cause eating problems.

So, our plan of action is to continue the appetite stimulant, the higher calorie Pediasure TID, continue the vitamin until we go for the updated blood draw in October to check his iron, and see an endocrinologist in the near future.

In the meantime - he'll continue playing with his trucks!