Pérdida de peso anormal en niños y adolescentes

¿cuáles son los signos y síntomas de la pérdida de peso anormal en niños y adolescentes?

Si la pérdida de peso es causada por una afección médica o es un efecto secundario de un medicamento, los síntomas variarán y serán específicos de esa causa. Entre los demás síntomas, se pueden incluir los siguientes:

• Estreñimiento 
• Change in menstruation (period) or no menstruation
• Deshidratación 
• Mareos y desmayos
• Fatiga (cansancio extremo)
• Sensación de frío o baja temperatura corporal
• Presión arterial baja
• Malnutrición o malnutrición proteico-calórica 
• Retraso del crecimiento
• Debilidad

¿cuáles son las causas de la pérdida de peso anormal en niños y adolescentes?

La pérdida de peso anormal puede ocurrir debido a varias afecciones médicas, efectos secundarios de los medicamentos o cambios físicos y en el estilo de vida.

Afecciones médicas

Pediatric Addisons disease (hypocortisolism)

This condition causes insufficient secretion of hormones from the adrenal cortex, which can cause weight loss.

Oncología

A common symptom of cancer is weight loss, since fighting the cancer uses much of the body’s energy and it can change the way the body processes food and nutrition.

Enfermedad celíaca pediátrica

This condition causes the small intestine to be sensitive to gluten. Esto provoca dificultad para procesar y digerir los alimentos.

Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) pediátrica

Advanced COPD can cause weight loss as the damaged lungs increase in size, pushing against the stomach and making it difficult to eat.

La enfermedad de Crohn

This condition causes chronic inflammation of the intestines, which leads to nausea, abdominal pain and a loss of appetite.

Depression in children

Children with depression can lose weight due to a decreased appetite.

Diabetes

Insufficient insulin is the root cause of diabetes. Esto puede hacer que el cuerpo queme grasa y músculo para obtener energía y compensar la pérdida de glucosa.

Trastornos alimenticios

Young children and teens sometimes try to control their weight and develop eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

Insuficiencia cardíaca

Many heart failure patients live with unintentional weight loss. While the exact cause is unknown, recent studies have found reduced blood flow and the resulting nausea may be a possible reason.

HIV/AIDS

Many patients with HIV/AIDS experience weight loss for a number of reasons, such as an infection, depression, or pain in the mouth from sores or a yeast infection.

Hipercalcemia

This condition causes increased levels of calcium in the blood, which can lead to a decreased appetite and abdominal pain.

Hipertiroidismo

With this condition, the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone. Esto puede afectar el metabolismo de un niño y provocar pérdida de peso. 

Parasites

A parasitic infection can lead to weight loss due to chronic digestive issues, autoimmune disorders or protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM).

Parkinson’s disease

This condition is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. Si bien se desconoce la causa exacta, algunas teorías mencionan la pérdida del olfato, la energía requerida durante los temblores o los problemas gastrointestinales como motivos para la pérdida de peso.

Úlcera péptica

This is a sore that forms in the lining of the digestive system, which can make eating painful and result in weight loss.

Trastorno del procesamiento sensorial

Children with sensory disorders may be particularly sensitive to the feel, smell or taste of foods or drinks, including during breastfeeding.

CU (colitis ulcerosa)

This inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes painful sores and inflammation of the digestive tract, making it difficult to eat and process food.

Efectos secundarios de medicamentos

Anti-anxiety drugs

These medications target hormones and chemicals in the brain, and can cause decreased appetite and unintentional weight loss.

Antibióticos

These medications eliminate disease-causing bacteria and can cause short-term effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Anti-cancer drugs

Weight loss is common when treating cancer since chemotherapy or radiation therapy often result in appetite loss, nausea and vomiting.

Cardiovascular drugs

Antiplatelet drugs, often used to treat coronary heart disease, can cause diarrhea and abdominal pain that leads to weight loss.

Stimulants

Some stimulants, such as phentermine and topiramate (an anti-seizure and migraine medication), can cause decreased appetite and weight loss.

Cambios en la actividad física y el estilo de vida

Activity levels

One of the largest contributors to a weight imbalance is a drastic increase in activity levels while there is a decrease in food consumption. Para un buen estado general de salud, se requiere una dieta y un nivel de actividad equilibrados.

Dental issues

Pain from dental issues or improper brushing techniques can lead to decreased appetite or temperature sensitivities.

Gut health

The human body needs the appropriate balance of microbes in the stomach (gut flora) in order to properly function and maintain a healthy weight.

Puberty

Increased hormones in a child’s body during puberty (between the ages of 10 and 14 for girls and between the ages of 12 and 16 for boys) leads to growth and dramatic slimming of “baby fat” areas.

Abuso de sustancias

Abuse of stimulants (cocaine or ecstasy), depressants (alcohol or marijuana) and narcotics (prescription medications) can lead to rapid, significant weight loss.