APPETITE LOSS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

APPETITE LOSS IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Causes of Loss of Appetite in Infants and Children 

Organic Disease

Infectious (acute or chronic)

Neurologic

Congenital degenerative disease

Hypothalamic lesion

Increased intracranial pressure (including a brain tumor)

Swallowing disorders (neuromuscular)

Gastrointestinal

Oral lesions (e.g., thrush or herpes simplex)

Gastroesophageal reflux

Obstruction (especially with gastric or intestinal distention)

Inflammatory bowel disease

Celiac disease

Constipation

Cardiac

Congestive heart failure (especially associated with cyanotic lesions)

Metabolic

Renal failure and/or renal tubule acidosis

Liver failure

Congenital metabolic disease

Lead poisoning

Nutritional

Marasmus

Iron deficiency

Zinc deficiency

Fever

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatic fever

Drugs

Morphine

Digitalis

Antimetabolites

Methylphenidate

Amphetamines

Miscellaneous

Prolonged restriction of oral feedings, beginning in the neonatal period

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Tumor

Psychologic Factors

Anxiety, fear, depression, mania (limbic influence on the hypothalamus)

Avoidance of symptoms associated with meals (abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, urgency, dumping syndrome)

Anorexia nervosa