Hi doc,my daughter is premature&had 2 ops(atrezia oesophagist and anti reflux)she's about 3years&her weight 10.5 kg.doctor said to make her eat oily and grassy food(with samne and butter)do u agree?
May 14, 2013
Infants born premature usually go through "catch up" growth. But because of your daughter's condition this didn't occur. Your daughter's failure to thrive may have a number of reasons that need to be looked into before deciding that the solution is simply nutritional.
1- Is the motion of her esophagus normal? A known complication of esophageal atresia surgery is trouble in the motion of the esophagus which makes the swallowing painful and difficult. Xray of the esophagus during swallowing will show if this problem exists.
2- any residual reflux? If your daughter spits a lot then she's not keeping down enough food. Also if she chokes frequently, she may have small food particles going into her trachea (micro aspirations) causing inflammation +/- infection.
3- any strictures (tissue that grows during healing after surgery) that caused narrowing in the esophagus?
4- any associated heart or kidney disease (this is common in esophageal atresia, she needs heart and kidney echo to be sure)
5- was she investigated for thyroid problems or gluten sensitivity (celiac disease) which very often cause failure of growth?
I urge you to consult a pediatric gastroenterologist and a pediatric nutritionist to do the necessary investigation and give her the right diets fatty food is not only not enough, it may cause diarrhea (poor absorption of fat) and later on heart and blood vessel disease.
1- Is the motion of her esophagus normal? A known complication of esophageal atresia surgery is trouble in the motion of the esophagus which makes the swallowing painful and difficult. Xray of the esophagus during swallowing will show if this problem exists.
2- any residual reflux? If your daughter spits a lot then she's not keeping down enough food. Also if she chokes frequently, she may have small food particles going into her trachea (micro aspirations) causing inflammation +/- infection.
3- any strictures (tissue that grows during healing after surgery) that caused narrowing in the esophagus?
4- any associated heart or kidney disease (this is common in esophageal atresia, she needs heart and kidney echo to be sure)
5- was she investigated for thyroid problems or gluten sensitivity (celiac disease) which very often cause failure of growth?
I urge you to consult a pediatric gastroenterologist and a pediatric nutritionist to do the necessary investigation and give her the right diets fatty food is not only not enough, it may cause diarrhea (poor absorption of fat) and later on heart and blood vessel disease.
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i agree with Dr zakia ,she almost cover all branches of your question,if your little girl cant swallow properly the solid food which is a possible complication of her situation if there is strictures ,or problem in the motility of the esophagus,then it is better to treat the cause rather than treating the symptom of not swallowing properly
so if your dr advice you to give her oily food then this must a temporary solution to let her feed but not the appropriate long term treatment ,your girl must be followed up by a specialist to assess her condition clearly and make the necessary ,if the cause of the problem is strictures this can be solved by another operation ,and be sure she is still not having acid reflux that may worsen the condition through taking the necessary medicine that is suitable for her age
so , look for the long term solution for your kid 's problem not for the instant relief of symptoms
so if your dr advice you to give her oily food then this must a temporary solution to let her feed but not the appropriate long term treatment ,your girl must be followed up by a specialist to assess her condition clearly and make the necessary ,if the cause of the problem is strictures this can be solved by another operation ,and be sure she is still not having acid reflux that may worsen the condition through taking the necessary medicine that is suitable for her age
so , look for the long term solution for your kid 's problem not for the instant relief of symptoms
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