Failure to Thrive
Failure to Thrive
What Is Failure to Thrive?
If your child is not able to fully absorb all of the nutrients he or she needs or does not take in adequate nutrition, growth may taper off or stop completely. This is a medical condition known as "failure to thrive," and it can present significant challenges. With the help of your child's healthcare provider, your child can get the nutrients needed to grow.
How Will I Know if My Child Has Failure to Thrive?
If your infant or toddler does not have significant height or weight gain during a three- to six-month period, doctors may diagnose failure to thrive. Sometimes growth rates will flatten out as your child grows older, or he or she may show signs early in life, including:
- Becoming disinterested in surroundings
- Avoiding eye contact
- Becoming irritable
- Being slow to meet other major milestones such as sitting up, crawling and talking
What Causes Failure to Thrive?
If your child experiences failure to thrive, it may be the result of many underlying factors.
- Conditions involving the digestive system like heartburn, reflux, chronic diarrhea, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or allergies can cause troubles with your child's ability to absorb nutrients adequately.
- Malabsorptive disorders including Cystic Fibrosis, chronic liver disease and Celiac disease may allow for your child to eat enough, but can prevent him or her from using calories effectively.
- Intolerance of milk protein can also cause troubles with your child's ability to absorb nutrients.
- Chronic illness or medical condition can also increase a child's need for more calories, making it difficult to support growth. If your child was born prematurely or with a cleft palate, he or she may have symptoms that suppress the ability to take in enough calories to support normal growth.
- Infections place great energy demands on your child's body, increasing the need for nutrients. Your child may also have a lack of appetite, making it difficult to eat the required number of calories.
- Social factors may be the root of your child's failure to thrive. Sometimes, parents can unknowingly be the cause. It's important to remember that your child's nutrient needs are different from your own, because he or she grows and uses energy at different rates. If you follow a restricted diet, you should serve your child a different meal than what you're eating to ensure he or she gets the nutrients needed to grow healthy and strong.
How Will Failure to Thrive Affect My Child Later in Life?
The long-term effects of failure to thrive will depend on how severe your child's case is. Your child may not have any lasting effects from this condition. But prolonged failure to thrive or more severe cases may lead to continued difficulty growing and a shorter stature throughout life. According to The Handbook of Pediatric Nutrition, about half of children with failure to thrive will also experience other social, emotional or eating challenges later.
What Can I Do to Help My Child Grow?
One of the best ways to help your child with failure to thrive is to catch it early. By taking your child to the doctor and maintaining regular growth records, you'll be able to notice patterns and changes in your child's height and weight gain.
Beginning to treat any underlying medical conditions that hinder your child's ability to grow is a step in the right direction. Pediatricians might also recommend high-calorie formulas or nutrient-rich beverages like BOOST® KID ESSENTIALS Nutritionally Complete Drink for children ages 1-13. Talking to your doctor will help determine what option is best for you and your child.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | 1-888-240-2713 | 1-888-240-2713
