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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Failure to thrive?

So far I've been in denial about Gaby's possible health issues...I even thought twice about posting these issues on my blog, but I guess it's time to accept that something might be wrong with her and writing about it helps me vent and makes me feel better....
It all started around the time she was 5 months when she was diagnosed with "reflux" due to her slow weight gain and the doctor's concern about her growth not being "linear"....
Her birth weight was 7lbs 10oz and at 5 months she was only 13lbs 6oz, which didn't seem right... She started off at the 50th percentile for weight and all of a sudden she was down to the 30th!...not good!
She was prescribed Axid for her reflux and we were told to take her back at 6 months for weight check... by then she was 14lbs 8oz, which wasn't too bad, but she was down to the 25th percentile....I took her back to the doctor in February when she turned 7 months and she was only 15lbs 4oz (not even a pound heavier) and down to the 20th percentile; at that point her doctor wrote the dreaded term "Failure to Thrive" on her chart and I was disgusted!...
I became worried and annoyed... the sole thought of my perfect little girl having an issue made me sick!
Her pediatrician suggested we should take her to a specialist to further examine her reflux issues and the impact of such on her weight... I scheduled an appointment, coming up on April 5th!
For the past few days, Gaby hasn't been feeling well, so Iggy took her to the doctor again... It turns out she has a double ear infection and is having breathing issues again... On top of that, she has only gained 1/2 lb in the last month and is up to 15lbs 12oz, which brings her down to the 10th percentile for weight... I'm so worried...I've cried, I've screamed, I've told people, etc... so far, nothing makes me feel better....
I just hope that the upcoming visit with the specialist gives us some answers about her health and a better outlook regarding her possible health issues....
I know in my heart that she's healthy; she's hitting every milestone early or on time and she's a loving and happy child... I pray to God that everything will be fine and my baby will have no more health issues!
Please keep my Gaby in your thoughts!

14 comments:

Pam Burrus said...

One thing I've learned about doctors is they are total pessimists. Do NOT let this get you down... if she is hitting her milestones what is weight?? Reflux is something that can be fixed and she can grow out of it... and while she is not hitting the higher percentiles in weight I honestly think this would be the last of my concerns of all the other things I could be concerned about. I think you have a beautiful healthy girl... maybe you should put her on my diet and she'll gain a lb a week... it consists of girlscout cookies, ice cream and candy ;) Also remember she is a pretty active baby if I remember seeing the video of her in the crib.... that burns calories. Are there any high calorie foods you can give her? Surely they make some special foods for babies... Hang in there girl! Stay POSITIVE - it could be a LOT worse!!!

Kim said...

Im so sorry all of this is happening Adriana. I'm sure she is just fine...she is just a petite little girl. She is hitting every milestone and she is such a happy little girl. If something were really wrong Im sure you would have figured it out by now...she is in no physical pain (I'm sure you would know by her attitude and for the most part she is a happy little thing). I'll keep her in my prayers and please keep me updated. If it makes you feel any better, Isabel is only in the 20%. The doctor said that he is blaming her slow weight gain on the reflux.

Mari said...

I'm so sorry to hear that. We hope she gets better soon. Un gran abrazo.

ELIZABETHDIAZ said...

Adri, i had no idea!! I'm sorry you're going through such an uncertain time... just remember God is in control and he has only good things planned for your beautiful family. On another note i agree with one of the comments posted on here.. gabby has always been petite like andrea.. i took her to the dr today and she's weighing 15.13 i know all babies are different but just an fyi. We love you and please dont hesitate to call if you need anything.
Besos!!

Ana Cristina said...

Hi Adriana,

Praying for you and Gaby. I am sure she will be a-ok she's a gorgeous smart little girl!

BrookesMommy said...

I agree with everyone else - Gaby is just a sweet, petite little girl. My niece was always small, and now at age 3, she's still just a peanut - and her 1 year old brother wears the same size diapers. Some babies are just smaller than the others.

I'm sorry to hear about the double ear infection and breathing troubles - let us know if you need anything, that's rough!

I Just Love You said...

i know the worst thing in the world is thinking something is wrong with you girl. as long as she is happy, eating well, and hitting her milestones, i wouldn't be concerned. she may just be a smaller girl or she may just be waiting for her growth spurt. :) (why do you think she has reflux? what kind of symptoms does she have?)

Stories of a Happy Mom said...

Thanks everyone for your encouraging comments..
Maggie- she was diagnosed with reflux because she was arching her back and wasn't absorbing enough calories..she would also spit up a lot and hated the sitting position..that's how the doctor came up with it!

Los Diaz-Salvioli o Salvioli Diaz? said...

Adriana,

Tranquila. Yo opino igual que Pam. Los Dres son medio alarmistas. No te quedes con una sola opinion. Trata de consultar varios Dres. Yo la veo bien de estatura y si es mas flaquita que Olivia a esa edad, pero no todos los ninos son iguales. Entiendo tu preocupacion, tus angustias y tus miedos. Estare pendiente de ti el 5 de abril y voy a rezar para que Gaby este sanita. Lo que necesites, por favor avisanos. Estamos a la orden.
Un beso y tranquila que todo va a salir bien.

tlhess said...

Adrianna,
What we see in the hospital as Failure to Thrive are kids that are not thriving, not hitting milestones, not developing. Gaby is growing, just at her own pace. She is hitting all her milestones and continues to progress, that is what is most important :) Hugs from us, I am sure she is fine
Love,
Terri

Hurdles of Life said...

♥ Adriana. I agree with everyone else.. the milestones and her temperment are the only factors you should be worried about. So, she is tiny.. big deal. She won't ever have to worry about being taller than a boy! :) xoxoxo m

Celeste said...

Adriana I am so sorry to hear your concerns about your little girl. I think failure to thrive was a bit alarmist on the Doctors part. From what you write here its does seem that she is hitting every other milestone.
If she is in the 10th percentile it just means, (to me) that 90% of the other babies weigh more.. right? She could be perfectly normal.

She looks a lot like your husband, he is a slim person right? She could just have inherited his genes and having this reflux is not helping her.

Good luck with her. I am sure will be fine.

PS.
The baby fever is hitting me!!

Delphine said...

Hi Adriana,I know we don't talk often but i want to tell you what happened with Adina. She was born really small 5lbs and after a week was not eating at all because of Acid reflux so I got worried. I went to her pediatrician and to a stomach specialist and they gave me Prevacid and I can tell you that from all the medicine, it is the only 1 working and she does not have anymore problem. I am giving her Similac Alimentum that is an hypoallergenic formula and it helps digesting better. Please if you need anything or you want my doctors name let me know and I will be more than happy to help you.
I really wish and hope you all the best with little Gaby, she is so sweet and cute and I am sure that she is protected and she will get healthy and you will forget about this very soon.

Stories of a Happy Mom said...

Thanks so much for all the stories and encouraging comments... Gaby gained 5 lbs in 3 days! yay! So I guess we're on the right track!
Keep praying!
Thanks again!!!

Aura- Have a baby!!! ha ha!