Failure to thrive: a case obvious to physicians is perplexing to the court

Proving a failure to thrive case in court can be difficult unless all professionals prepare in advance for consistent testimony which educates the court in a simple and straightforward manner. This case highlights the importance of a physician being alert to non-organic failure to thrive, as a cause of abuse or neglect. A bizarre array of confusing biological and psychosocial facts may prove difficult to categorise for forensic purposes. Physicians can themselves complicate future court presentations by failing to use growth charts to evaluate children and using non-speaking phrases such as 'well-nourished'. Although non-organic failure to thrive can often be determined medically; attorneys, police and other healthcare personnel may benefit from the review of physical, psychosocial, and familial characteristics of failure to thrive children. A multi-disciplinary team approach best serves the interests of these abused children as well as the interests of justice.