Failure to Thrive
What is it?
The term failure to thrive (FTT) refers to a delay in a child's growth or development. Failure to thrive is not a disease; it is a condition that can be corrected by addressing the underlying
cause.
Who gets it?
Failure to thrive is usually used to describe infants and children under the age of two, who do not gain or maintain weight as they
should.
What causes it?
Failure to thrive can be caused by a physical disorder. In this case, the organs that are responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients from food may be poorly formed or incomplete. The more common causes of failure to thrive are psychological, social, or economic. For example, a child who is depressed may have a poor appetite. Depression may occur in children who are neglected by their parents or primary caregiver. Or, a child may not receive enough food or the right kinds of food because the family is poor or unaware of proper nutrition. Occasionally, a breastfed child may suffer from failure to thrive because the mother's milk is low in quality or
quantity.
What are the symptoms?
An infant or toddler who suffers from failure to thrive will not gain weight at a predictable rate, or will lose
weight.
How is it diagnosed?
All infants and toddlers should have regular checkups, called
"well-baby checks." At these visits, the doctor compares the child's measurements at his or last visit with the child's current measurements and compares those to a standard growth chart for children his or her age. When a doctor finds that the child's growth is not as expected, the doctor conducts a further exam to find any underlying cause. The doctor will ask the parents or caregiver questions about the child's eating habits, daily care, and if there have been any social problems or illnesses. The doctor may perform some routine tests, such as a complete blood count, and check for any physical problems with the child's digestive tract. Because some people are just naturally small, the doctor will also look
at the family's history of height and weight. If the baby is breastfed, the doctor will evaluate the mother's diet and overall
health.
What is the treatment?
A child with failure to thrive will begin to grow and mature when the underlying cause is corrected. If the condition is caused by a physical problem, such as defects in the esophagus, stomach, small or large intestine, rectum, or anus, then the appropriate steps are taken to correct the problem. If the problem is caused by the quality or quantity of the breast milk, improving the mother's diet or using supplemental feedings is recommended. If the condition is caused by problems in nutrition, the doctor will provide the family with guidelines for providing enough of and the right kinds of food to the child. This may include referring the family to a social agency that can help get the family on the right track. In cases where the child is not being properly nurtured and cared for, the family may need counseling. In extreme cases of neglect, the child may need to be hospitalized or placed in foster care. With early detection and correction, most children with failure to thrive develop normally, emotionally and physically. However, because the first year of life is an extremely important time for brain growth and emotional development, children with extreme failure to thrive in the first year usually remain developmentally behind their peers for the remainder of their lives. Of this group, about one third have below normal mental development. About one-half of the children with extreme failure to thrive have lifelong emotional and social problems or eating
problems.
Self-care tips
Regular well-baby checkups will uncover any growth problems quickly so they can be addressed and corrected. Failure to thrive can be prevented by providing a child with the emotional and physical care that is essential to any child's physical and mental well-being.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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