What are the Causes of Fatigue in a 5-Year-Old?

A number of conditions can be responsible for fatigue in a 5-year-old child. Deficiency of certain nutrients in the diet and lack of sleep are two major causes. Certain diseases and infections can also cause fatigue and tiredness.

Sleeplessness

• School-going children require at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep. Without adequate sleep, physical exhaustion on a frequent basis is a normal response, according to NetDoctor.co.uk.

Medical Conditions

• Five-year-old children are in the growth phase and deficiency of iron can cause anemia and small-intestinal disorders like gluten-intolerance and Crohn's disease. These problems can lead to fatigue, according to NetDoctor.co.uk. Infections like flu can also leave the child exhausted for weeks.

Diet

• Often children are unable to absorb sufficient amounts of proteins and vitamins. Fast food provides empty carbohydrates, which means they do not get enough nutrients. This leads to weakness and consequently, fatigue.

Diseases

• Chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, renal failure and obesity are also among the causes of fatigue in children, according to WrongDiagnosis.com.

Considerations

• Psychological impacts of child abuse can lead to persistent fatigue. Depression is another cause of fatigue in children. This is interlinked with sleeplessness and diet.