PWSA Blog

Ask Nurse Lynn: Bowel Movements and GI Concerns

Question:

Male, 2.5, UPD

My son has had a decrease in appetite (eats breakfast and lunch but not dinner) but has been drinking regularly the past two days. His BMs are a lighter brown/tan/beige color, and he has had smelly gas. His stomach at night looks slightly distended but is gone by morning. The stomach bug has hit my husband and I over the last week. Should I be concerned about a blockage? Or any other GI complications? No fever or vomiting present. He at times appeared to be uncomfortable but continued with daily activities.

Nurse Lynn’s Response:

I do think that bringing your son in for an x-ray is reasonable. There could also be undiagnosed food allergies that can cause these symptoms.

You are right to question a blockage. The decreased appetite and distention are concerning. Our kids can have BM’s and still be constipated or worse obstructed. Until the x ray, give his tummy a break and give easily digested foods. Monitor the distention, bowel movements (color/amount/frequency).  

It can be difficult to discern what is emergent and what is not with our loved ones. They do still get sick like everyone else. I tend to err on the side of caution and have them evaluated.

I have attached the GI Algorithm.

Resource: 

GI-Algorithm-Chart-2022.pdf (pwsausa.org)

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