Decreased Appetite in Children

Context is key for the pediatric patient with decreased appetite. Getting a sense of what is normal for the patient and their overall health goes a long way in deciding how to approach the visit. Doing this can be tricky if you’re not sure what to ask first or the big things that you don’t want to miss.

This week, let’s talk about where to start when you see these patients, and how to get the context that is so essential for these visits.

✅ What to know about the patient before you even walk into the exam room
✅ When to ask broad questions, when to ask targeted questions – and why
✅ Which body systems you must assess
✅ Considering the behavioral and social context
✅ The use of medication for children with decreased appetite
✅ Red flags and worst-case scenarios

Decreased appetite can seem like a scary chief complaint for a pediatric patient, but it doesn’t have to be. A good handle on what is normal, what is urgent, and when to send these patients to a specialist, will take a lot of the pressure off and increase your confidence in the visit.   

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