Failure to Thrive
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 2, 2024.
What is failure to thrive?
Failure to thrive (FTT) is when your child does not gain weight or grow as fast as he or she should. FTT is a long-term condition and your child may continue to need treatment and monitoring as he or she grows up.
What causes FTT?
- Increased metabolism: Your child may use calories at a faster rate than other children. Certain conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, can increase metabolism.
- Incorrect feeding: Your child may not be getting enough to eat, or may be eating the wrong kinds of foods. He or she may be drinking formula accidently made with too much or too little water. He or she may be having problems with breastfeeding. He or she may be drinking liquids that are high in sugar, such as fruit juices. Your child may also have a poor appetite or may be a picky eater.
- Swallowing problems: This may be caused by cleft palate or damage to your child's brain.
- Problems with nutrient use: Your child's body may not be able to break down, absorb, or store nutrients from the food he or she eats. Conditions such as celiac disease can prevent the absorption of nutrients.
- Family stress: Your child may be sensitive to stress at home, such as job loss or the death of a family member. Your child may be around family members who abuse drugs or alcohol, or are abusive. Your child may need more physical or emotional attention.
What are the signs and symptoms of FTT?
- Height, weight, or head size that is less than that of other children his or her age
- Decreased or no appetite at all, or he or she is a picky eater
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Dry, brittle, or thin hair
- Low body temperature
- Looks weak, thin, and fussy, and does not want to be around people
- Trouble doing things that he or she should be able to do at certain ages, such as sitting, rolling over, or crawling
- Trouble with sucking and swallowing during bottle or breastfeeding, or with swallowing food or liquids
How is FTT diagnosed?
Your child's healthcare provider will try to find conditions that may be causing your child's FTT. He or she will ask about any problems that occurred while your child was still in his or her mother's womb. He or she will ask what and how much he or she is being fed. He or she may also ask about how your family cares for your child.
- Growth chart: This is used to compare your child's weight, length or height, and head size to other children his or her age. Your child's provider can see if your child is below where he or she should be for one or more of these measurements.
- Food diary: You may be asked to keep a written record of what and how much your child eats over several days. This helps your child's provider see if your child is being fed the proper kinds and amount of food.
- Blood and urine tests: Your child may need these tests to find the cause of his or her symptoms.
How is FTT treated?
- Nutrition management: Your child may need different formula or one with added vitamins to help him or her grow. Your child may need to eat high-calorie foods, such as cheese, peanut butter, or whole milk. If your child cannot eat or drink, he or she may need a feeding tube. A feeding tube goes through your child's mouth or nose until it reaches his or her stomach. Your child will then get formula through the tube until he or she is able to eat on his or her own again.
- Hospital admission: A hospital stay is needed when treatment outside the hospital has failed or when your child's FTT is severe. This may help providers find the cause of your child's failure to thrive.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
What are the risks of FTT?
Children with FTT have an increased risk for getting infections. Even with treatment, your child may not have normal increases in weight, height, and head growth. He or she may develop permanent health conditions. His or her mental abilities may develop at a slower rate. Your child may be more at risk for having problems with his or her behavior. If untreated, FTT can progress to life-threatening malnutrition or dehydration.
What can I do to prevent or manage FTT?
- Go to follow-up appointments: Take your child to see providers as recommended. Depending on the cause of your child's problems, you may also need to take your child to other providers. Lactation counselors, dietitians, social workers, gastroenterologists, or counselors may help you find ways to support your child.
- Keep records: Measure and record your child's weight as directed. You may also be asked to keep a written record of what and how much your child eats. Bring these records to your child's follow-up visits. This will help you and your child's providers find if certain foods are causing his or her problems.
- Help your child eat well: Do not force your child to eat or feed him or her too quickly. Praise your child when he or she eats well. Start with small amounts of food and increase the amount over time. Limit snacks so his or her appetite for a regular meal is not reduced. Limit your child's daily intake of fruit juice to less than 8 ounces. Have meals at regular times with other family members. Do not allow your child to eat while doing other things such as watching TV or playing on the computer. If your child is eating table food, feed him or her healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and dairy products.
- Track your child's development: If your child is an infant or toddler, keep track of when he or she develops new skills or meets certain milestones. These include things like rolling over, standing, walking, talking, and putting words together. A record of these things will make it easier to see if your child is developing normally for his or her age.
- Reduce your child's exposure to stress: Find ways to manage stress at home. Ask family members or your child's caregivers if you feel that you need help.
When should I contact my child's healthcare provider?
- Your child is vomiting or has diarrhea.
- Your child has a fever, or his or her skin is red or swollen.
- Your child is not growing or gaining more weight as fast as he or she should, even with treatment.
- Your child is not speaking, walking, or doing other things other children his or her age can do.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
When should I seek immediate care or call 911?
- Your child is very irritable and cannot be consoled.
- Your child has had fewer than 4 wet diapers in the last 24 hours.
- Your child's soft spot on the top of his or her head is sunken.
- Your child cries without tears, has sunken eyes, and his or her mouth is dry.
- Your child is weak and sleeping more than usual.
- Your child is listless and not responsive to you.
- Your child's body is swollen, and his or her skin has an abnormal color. His or her skin may be peeling.
- You suspect that someone may be harming or abusing your child.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's healthcare providers to decide what care you want for your child. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
Further information
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