Concerned for daughter's height & weight

Hi,

I am very worried about my daughter's height and weight. She does not seem to gain weight/height as per her age. She had congenital defects and had two major surgeries when she was 2 days & 3 months old. She had remained skinny from the beginning but while I see her friends/cousins of her age bigger in size, I really get worried. She is completely fine and active after the surgeries. I would like to know if there is any way (with the proper diet) that can make her gain her height and weight. (me and my hubby both are not very tall and we belong to Asian background).
Thanking you

[Renee Radenberg]

Her weight is just below the 5th percentile and her height is on the 10th percentile for her age. Based on her weight / age, she should be consuming approximately 1800 calories per day for her to grow as recommended the following; Fruits = 1.5 cups; Vegetables 2.5 cups; Grains (cereals, breads) = 6oz equivalents; Meat & beans = 5oz equivalents; Dairy products (milk, yogurt) = 3 cups; Oils = 5 tsp; Additional calories to be used discretionary = 195. This food needs to be divided up between 3 meals and snacks between meals daily. Suggest replacing her milk, at meals and snacks, with Pediasure, milkshakes (milk and ice cream blended), or yogurt smoothies (yogurt, ice cream, or frozen fruit-if he accepts it- blended) for additional calories and protein for weight gain. Hoped this helped.

[sang1973]

Thank you so much for your answer. Is she very much underweight? I will try these food and see how it works with her. Would you mind clarifying what exactly 'cups' is equivalent to?

I would also like to know if she needs any tests at this stage for weight gain? When I put my concern to GP, he said to have blood test to have tests for Urea & Electrolytes & Creatinine, Glucose, Thyroid function and full blood count. Not very sure whether to put my daughter into these tests. Or, do you suggest to wait for some time with the diet change. I would really appreciate your answer please. Thanking you so much once again.

[Renee Radenberg]

1 Cup = 8ozs or 0.24 liters (240millilters). She is slightly underweight as based on the Growth chart. If she still does not gain weight from the changes, then have the blood work done.