Paediatrics - Queensland Health - Queensland Government

Gastrointestinal problems
• Perform standard clinical observations +
- - urinalysis
-- check haemoglobin on haemoglobinometer (HemoCue®)
- - collect stool specimen for lactose intolerance testing
• Perform a complete physical examination:
-- head to toe assessment of current state of health, looking for evidence of
undetected illness
- - do naked weigh, check length and head circumference - plot growth chart
It is important in an underweight child to differentiate wasting of acute FTT from stunting
due to chronic FTT - often both are present
A child with stunting may look healthy. It is important to measure and assess the child's
growth on a growth chart to identify stunting
4. Management
• MO perform examination and calculate degree of FTT - mild, moderate or severe
• Depending on severity of FTT commencement of:
-- nutritional supplements such as Pediasure®
-- food prescription
• Multivitamins are only required