The importance of digestive health to your child’s growth

Nutrition impacts every part of your child’s life, from growth and development to how they function at school.

Do you know that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract – which includes the esophagus, stomach and intestines – is among the most important parts of our bodies? Dr. Christine Carter-Kent, an Akron Children’s pediatric gastroenterologist, shares her expertise on how digestive health impacts every aspect of your child’s life.

Why is digestive health important?

Most people think the GI tract is primarily responsible for digesting food and eliminating waste. But it does much more than that. The digestive system helps our bodies absorb essential nutrients, supports immune function and plays an important role in overall health. If the GI tract isn’t working right, it can affect your child’s physical growth, energy levels and ability to focus in school.

What are the warning signs that my child has a digestive issue?

The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If your child has diarrhea for a couple days in a row, it’s probably going to pass. But if it continues, that’s concerning.

Also, it’s important to know if your child gets up in the middle of the night with diarrhea. Recurrent nighttime diarrhea can be a warning sign. But diarrhea associated with an acute infection can happen at night, too.

What if there’s blood in my child’s diarrhea?

If they have a large volume of blood in their stool, take them to the emergency room. If it’s a small amount of blood happening over a couple of days, then call your child’s primary care provider. Multiple days of diarrhea can cause dehydration, so watch for symptoms including decreased frequency of urination, dry mouth and dry skin.

What are common causes of digestive problems in kids?

It depends on the age group. Although constipation can happen at any age, it’s a frequent problem in infants and toddlers. Here are some other categories:

• Younger infants may have problems with a milk protein allergy. They aren’t tolerating components in their formula like milk and soy – and that could cause diarrhea, vomiting or irritability.

• In older kids, we start to see things like acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some kids may have different degrees of lactose intolerance that can cause nausea, diarrhea and increased gas.

• In teens, this is when issues like inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are diagnosed.

Dr. Christine Carter-Kent

What is “failure to thrive”?

That’s an older phrase. We now use “faltering weight” or “mild, moderate and severe malnutrition.” Your child’s provider has age, height and weight charts to ensure your child’s growth is on track.

If your child doesn’t get the right nutrients, they may be malnourished. This can affect every part of their life, including not functioning well at school. If they have too much sugar in their daily diet, it can lead to behavioral issues and hyperactivity. The GI tract has a huge effect on everything.

If my child is behind on their growth, can they catch up?

Yes, and it’s an issue we see quite often in patients. Sometimes, there might be an underlying medical problem. Other times, teaching the parent or caregiver about healthy foods to give their child can help.

Regular checkups with your child’s primary care provider are so important to your child’s growth and development. If your child has a nutritional issue, the provider will work with you to make a plan. If your child’s issue is beyond nutrition, you’ll be referred to a gastroenterology or endocrinology specialist.

How can I help my child with a digestive issue?

One of the most important things is thinking about how the whole family eats and changing that landscape. A good example would be if a patient comes to me with a fatty liver, which is typically related to obesity. You can’t have a special diet for this child, while you and your other kids eat differently. The whole family needs to pitch in and eat healthier together.

What advice do you have about special diets?

Do not put your child on a diet, like keto or vegan, or eliminate multiple types of food without getting medical advice before you start. Sometimes, a parent will try a drastic diet and assume it’s OK for their child. As a result, their child might miss key nutrients that could slow their growth.

Appropriately planned vegetarian or vegan diets can be healthy for children – and a special diet may be medically necessary. Your child’s medical care team will provide nutrition monitoring because a special diet can put them at risk of low vitamin B12 or vitamin D. If young kids don’t get enough vitamin D, they could get a childhood bone disorder called rickets that can cause growth delays.

What else is important for parents and caregivers to know?

Starting healthy habits later in life is a chore. That is why it’s important to put your child on a path to good health in the first 5 to 6 years of life. Ensure they eat healthy, fresh foods; drink water instead of sugary juice or pop; and get plenty of physical activity. These healthy habits can last a lifetime!