Ask Dr. Needlman A Young Child with Unpleasant Body Odor
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Needlman, You recently answered a about a 12-year-old girl having body odor and said it was normal except in some rare cases where it has been present since infancy. My daughter is six and she has had this problem since infancy. She does not have any signs of puberty. Can you please tell me what are the conditions that may cause this odor?
— Kris
ANSWER
April 11, 2002
Dear Kris, There are some children who produce much more sweat than usual even as infants, which is a condition called hyperhydrosis. Often, they are completely healthy except for this problem. However, if they're active or live in a warm climate, they may develop unpleasant body odor. Daily baths with a deodorant soap and sometimes a gentle under-arm deodorant are usually all that's required.
There are other children who have truly odd or unpleasant body odors, often from birth. The cause is often that their bodies make far too much of a particular chemical, in the course of converting nutrients into energy or while getting rid of unnecessary chemicals. The excess chemical can cause an unusual or unpleasant odor.
The body's chemical processes are commonly referred to as metabolism, and these kinds of problems are called metabolic disorders or errors of metabolism. Many of these disorders are quite serious. Along with unusual odors, it's common for children to have other symptoms, such as very poor growth or seizures. It would be unusual for a child with a serious metabolic disorder to reach the age of six and have a funny odor as her only problem.
I think, though, that if a child has an odd or unpleasant odor, this is something that should be checked out. A general pediatrician might be able to do an initial evaluation or might make a referral to a geneticist, a specialist who usually has the greatest expertise in diagnosing errors of metabolism and similar rare disorders.
THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com
provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care
professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement
of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee,
or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full
Terms of Service.
