Failure to thrive

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Failure to thrive

Alternative Names:

Growth failure; FTT

Symptoms:

Height, weight, and head circumference in an infant or young child do not progress normally according to standard growth charts -- weight less than 3rd percentile, weight 20% below ideal weight for height, or a falloff from a previously established growth curve
Physical skills such as rolling over, sitting, standing and walking are slow to develop
Mental and social skills are delayed
Development of secondary sexual characteristics are delayed in adolescents

Signs and tests:

A physical examination is done, including height, weight, and body proportions. A detailed history is taken, including prenatal, birth, neonatal, psychosocial, and family information. A Denver Developmental Screening Test reveals delayed development. A growth chart including all growth parameters and trends since birth is plotted.

The following laboratory tests may be performed:

CBC (complete blood count) to detect anemia
Electrolytes (basic chemistries)
Urinalysis
Thyroid function tests
Other hormone studies
Hemoglobin electrophoresis to determine the presence of conditions such as sickle cell disease
X-rays to determine bone age

Review Date: 7/17/2004
Reviewed By: John Goldenring, M.D., MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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