Am I on the right track???

I have a 5 1/2 year old son, and for several years we've noticed behavioral issues with regards to the food he eats.  Issues include hyperactivity, not listening/focusing (but not being defiant), not being able to fall asleep, anxiety attacks, thick speech patterns, etc.  When he was 3 we realized that sugar affected his behavior so we reduced the amount of sugar he ate.  He continued to get in trouble at daycare and at home for the same problems for the next couple of years with no improvement despite timeouts, behavioral therapy, changes in environment etc.  Recently we started the "Feingold Program" which essentially is a program that eliminates certain foods from the diet such as preservatives, food dyes, and certain fruits and vegetables.  My son's behavior changed for the better in a drastic way - less hyperactivity, focusing/listening better, falling asleep better, speaking better, etc. - but there was still "something" affecting him.  We took the program a step further and eliminated most dairy products and also anything with high fructose corn syrup in it, and his behavior improved even further.  But there's still something going on.  A couple of months ago, we realized that certain vegetables such as peas and carrots would trigger some of the "old behaviors" to a degree.  We have talked to the pediatrician about our concerns about his behavior and food.  She did run allergy testing for the standard IGE allergy and they all came back negative so he doesn't have a "true" allergy to anything based on that.  She basically kept telling us all this time "he's just a boy".  We know that some of his behaviors could be because he's a child, but we also have seen a clear behavioral change due to food as well. When he eats certain foods, it's like a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde situation.  

We've finally made an appt to see a pediatric GI doctor to have his digestive system checked out to make sure there are no physical problems.  I'm suspecting a possible malabsorption problem specifically with fructose (which would explain the sugar issue) and/or dairy problem.  Of course, I'm not a doctor but I've been so frustrated for so long, that I hope we're on the right track.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Stacey

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I am not aware of a disease that correlates behavior issues with certain foods.  Malabsorption can certainly be considered, and I agree with the GI referral.  A blood test for celiac disease, as well as tests for sugar malabsorption can be considered with your pediatric GI physician.  

You also can consider another opinion at an academic medical center.  I would continue to pursue to behavioral health route.  

Again, I cannot guarantee that treating the GI disease will help any behavioral issues since I am not aware of a discrete GI disease linking the two.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Susi Q]

Stacey,
I went through the same thing first with my son and then my daughter! Please, please go to a book store (like Barnes and Nobel) and check out the book "The Bipolar Child"
I KNOW it sounds strange, but it took till my son was almost 17 to diagnose him with early onset bipolar disorder. THEY DO react differently to different foods. It's very different in children than adults and very different in boys vs girls.
Just check the book out before buying to see if it sounds like this could be the issue. People thought I was crazy telling them my kids had behavioral issues after eating! I KNOW what you are going through. This might not be what is going on with your son, but if you are like I was (at my ropes end trying to help my children) then at least check it out.
Hope this helps,
SusiQ

[X pharmacist]

The peas and the carrots are high starch foods, which would explain why your son had the behavioral problems after eating them.  Any food, that will turn into sugar in the body will continue to cause the problem.  Its probably best to cut out all white foods (white flour, sugars etc) and use complex carbs instead (brown rice, wheat, bran).  Avoid grapes and bananas as well as they tend to raise the glucose levels in the body. Best way to know is by elminating these types of foods and replacing them with the right ones. Hope this helps.