My 12 year old son has been having vomiting and nausea spells off and on for about a year. He has been sent home about 2/3 times a month from school beacuse of it. There is no fever or any other symptoms other than sometimes a headache. The pediatrician always thinks it is a virus, but again, no fever, and it comes and goes very quickly. I can't pinpoint any particular thing he eats that causes it. Last summer he had blood tests done to see if there was a bacterial infection in his intestine, but that came back negative. Now, in the past 3 weeks, he has develpoed a bald spot about 2" diameter on top of his head. He was tested for ringworm but the initial test was negative. Another test is still running, and he is on medication for ringworm while we wait for that. Other seemingly unrelated symptoms include low muscle tone, poor coordination, and a recently noted very slight unevenness of his shoulder blades. Could any of these things be related, and if so what could it be? What type of specialist should we take him to for further testing?
Q: My 12 yr. old son has vomiting/ nausea for 1 year. Recently developed a bald spot.
Have you heard of cyclic vomiting syndrome? Here's a link to read about and to see if you think it fits his symptoms:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cvs/index.htm
I could not find anything linking the vomiting with the hair loss but hair loss can happen with vitamin deficiencies but fungal infections are more likely in 12 year old boys which is most likely what they are looking for.
The clumsiness, low muscle tone and shoulder blade differences could be related in that many of us with low muscle tone (myself included) have a lot of GI issues related to poor mobility through the GI system as the muscle tone is low throughout the gut as well. I'm sure he doesn't want to discuss it with you but you may want to ask him about his bowels. Often times people with low tone are prone to develop constipation which can lead to issues farther up the chain.
Has he had his scoliosis check yet? At 12 he's likely to be beginning a growth spurt which could mean he's working on scoliosis which is also more common in people who are low tone. His pediatrician should be able to do a quick screen for this and send you to get x-rays if the screen is positive.
Good luck - Stephanie
Hello Angela,
Oh you must be so worried about your son. It is frustrating when the symptoms are not "typical" and you and your son need to go from doctor to doctor. My daughter has less than typical symptoms too and it did take quite a bit of work to figure everything out. Did I mention that it was a frustrating process too?! So hang on tight for a bit of a ride as you seek a solution.
It is always a good idea to start with the primary care doctor such as the family doctor or pediatrician. A return to the GI doctor may be a second step to have another look at the vomiting. Be sure to keep a journal and write down the frequency of this symptom.
A neurologist may be another specialist the primary care doctor recommends to look at the muscle tone issues and the other symptoms.
It can be discouraging when it takes a long time to get answers. I must say that it was important to be my daughter's voice and keep asking questions until her underlying problem was figured out. Once we knew what the actual problem was, we could start treating it more effectively.
Good luck and please promise me that you will write back and let me know how you are both doing.
Some parents find that it is helpful to write down their thoughts and feelings as they search for answers. You can start a Sharepost and update it or just contact us as you learn more about your sons symptoms.
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
www.refluxmom.com
sorry...i dont have any answers.....i was just posting that my 12 year old daughter has a bald spot about the size of a quarter and your post popped up....
Well here's my story....my daughter does not have A-R. I brought her to the piediatrician and he said that the bald spot was from pulling up her hair in a pony tail.....he did not seem to be concerned but I am still a little uncertain about her bald spot because it's off to the side and she pulls her pony up on the top center....we shall see....the doctor also said that baldness in children happens at birth only...hmmm....i find that interesting as well since I am now reading online about a number of other children, boys and girls that are develping bald spots between the ages of 9-12.....
I hope you get your answers soon!!
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