In those requiring investigation, full blood examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), electrolytes including urea, creatinine, calcium and magnesium, and urine for culture and urinalysis are helpful as an initial group of screening tests (Table 3).
The following tests are recommended for an initial laboratory evaluation of failure to thrive: CBC and differential - chronic bleeding, iron deficiency anemia, lead toxicity, malignancy, and infection. Urinalysis, urine culture - kidney or bladder infection or renal disease.
Failure to thrive is usually diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Babies are weighed and measured by a healthcare provider during routine checkups. The provider will give your child a physical exam. The exam will include checking the baby's growth, development, and functioning.
Treatment of failure to thrive is aimed at providing sufficient health and environmental resources to promote satisfactory growth. A nutritious diet containing adequate calories for catch-up growth (about 150% of normal caloric requirement) and individualized medical and social supports are usually necessary.
The clinical evaluation of failure to thrive (FTT) includes a thorough history and physical examination; observation of parent–child interactions; observation and documentation of the child's feeding patterns; and a home visit by an appropriately trained health care professional (Strength of Recommendation [SOR]: C).
Inpatient Clinical Pathway for Evaluation/Treatment of Infants with Malnutrition (Failure to Thrive) < 12 months. Failure to thrive (FTT) is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Malnutrition is a diagnosis that more accurately describes inadequate nutrition and can be determined via clinical assessment.
Symptoms of Failure to Thrive
Poor sucking (does not feed well) Hard to feed. Vomiting or diarrhea. Sleeps too much or not enough.
Failure to thrive has traditionally been classified into two categories: Organic and Non-organic failure to thrive (NOFTT). Non-organic failure to thrive or psychosocial failure to thrive refers to failure to thrive in a child who is younger than 5 years age and has no known medical condition that causes poor growth.
Though the course of treatment for AFTT depends on underlying causes, it should involve a comprehensive approach that combines medical intervention and lifestyle changes. Treatment for pain or underlying health problems can slow or reverse the cycle of decline.
Diencephalic syndrome is a rare cause of failure to thrive associated with significant intracranial pathology.
All children with failure to thrive need a high-calorie diet so that they can catch up in their growth and weight gain. They should be followed up by the doctor at least once a month until they not only catch up to the weight they should be but also maintain that weight gain over time.
Failure to thrive is diagnosed in about 10% of children in the U.S. Most children spend the first few years of their lives growing steadily and putting on weight.
How Is FTT Treated? Treatment of failure to thrive depends upon the age of the child, the associated symptoms and the underlying reason for the poor growth. The overall goal of treatment is to provide adequate calories and any other support necessary to promote the growth of your child.
If Failure to Thrive is prolonged, it may lead to permanent brain damage and developmental delays, as well as behavior problems, short stature and immunity problems.
The medical criteria listed below would support a terminal prognosis for individuals with the adult FTT syndrome. Medical criteria 1 and 2 are important indicators of nutritional and functional status respectively, and would thus, support a terminal prognosis if met.
Most children with nonorganic FTT manifest growth failure before age 1 year and many by age 6 months. When nonorganic FTT is caused by psychologic factors, growth failure accompanies or precedes poor weight gain.
An elderly adult whose health is severely debilitated, and with a failure to thrive life expectancy of 6 months or less, may be admitted to hospice.
A: Yes, in severe cases, when treatment is not received, failure to thrive can be fatal. This is true of failure to thrive in babies and children, as well as elderly people. Mortality as a result of the condition, however, is unlikely if prompt and appropriate treatment is received.
Slow weight gain is sometimes called “failure to thrive." It is not a disease itself, but a manifestation of many medical, social and environmental factors that prevent a child from getting the calories they need for healthy growth.
Nonorganic failure to thrive results from accidental, neglectful, or deliberate action on the caretaker's part. The majority of the nonorganic FTT cases are due to caretaker neglect.
A child with FTT is at risk for problems such as short height, behavior problems, and developmental delays. FTT has many possible causes. A baby or child may not be getting enough nutrients and calories. Or a baby or child may take in enough food, but not be able to absorb enough nutrients and calories.
Developmental Disorders Associated With Failure to Thrive
FTT is consistently associated with evidence of neurologic disabilities.
Failure to thrive may be caused by medical problems or factors in the child's environment, such as abuse or neglect. There are many medical causes of failure to thrive. These include: Problems with genes, such as Down syndrome.
Sometimes a parent or caregiver measures or mixes formula incorrectly, so an infant doesn't get enough calories. Problems with breastfeeding or starting solids also can cause failure to thrive. Some families have trouble affording enough food for their children. And sometimes parents miss their children's hunger cues.
Assessment of a child with failure to thrive includes a comprehensive history and a thorough physical examination. Some basic laboratory screening tests may be helpful in the evaluation. More extensive investigation may be required, based on the clinical findings and the results of the initial screening tests.