preemie-l underweigh, lots of Calories

Gary & Tammy Bangs (gtbangs@worldnet.att.net)
Wed, 19 Jun 1996 12:30:34 -0700


Florence,

I would be very interested if the docs find something going on with 
Mack.

Taylor has a similar problem.  Right now he gets between 1300 and 1500  
cal a day (depending on how many bottles I can force down him).  I add 
oil and sugar to everything.  He currently weighs 27 lbs , 37 in, at 3.2 
years old.  He is only in about the 3 rd percentile for weight and 5th 
for height.  His younger brother gets less calories ( no additives to 
his food) and is much more active, at 19 mo, he weighs 30 lbs and is 34 
in tall. (90th percentile).

Taylor does have what is labeled as a *food aversion* and most 
everything  he eats is forced.  He still takes a bottle, cause he 
doesn't have great lip closure on a cup.  He will take sips from a cup, 
but certainly not enough to sustain him.

We have been on the verge of a g-tube for a while.  It seems to be 
getting more and more eminent, because Taylor's weight gain is really 
starting to slip.

He has had several blood works done to check his nutrition.  (make sure 
that all the nutrients are present in his blood,) They always turn out 
fine.  Not even anemia.  But to look at him, he literally looks 
anorexic.  You can see every bone.

This definitely does not run in our family.  Dad is 6'4" and about 260. 
 I am a runt at 5'5", but my sis is 6' and all my uncles are over 6'.  
Everyone in my hubby's family weighs over 200 lbs.

We're stumped.

Tammy,
Mom to Taylor (28 wks-now 3), angel Alex, and Travis (19 mo)
wife to Gary (out to sea again)