Failure to thrive

Abstract

In this paper various aspects of growth retardation and malnutrition are discussed. Etiology is divided into non-organic and organic. Maternal deprivation seems to be the most important non-organic cause of failure to thrive. Organic causes include alimentary tract disorders such as cleft lip and/or palate, pyloric stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux, cystic fibrosis of pancreas, disaccharides deficiency, and other causes such as diabetes insipidus and urinary tract disorders. Three methods for classification of malnutrition described by Gomez, welcome and waterlow are pointed out. Failure to thrive is diagnosed in three stages: 1) Preliminary screening, 2) A trial of feeding, and 3) Further more comprehensive laboratory investigation. The therapy is completed in five steps, I.e. resuscitation, full caloric feeding, rehabilitation, preparing for discharge, and ambulatory follow-up. Prognosis, provided careful management, is good although these patients may develop neurotic or antisocial personality and other behavioral abnormalities later in life