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Underlying illness associated with failure to thrive in breastfed infants
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
Clinical Pediatrics
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Failure to thrive (FTT) in breast-fed infants, especially after the first month, may indicate underlying organic illness. Early evaluation is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment of these high-risk infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatal Care
- Infant Nutrition
Background:
- Failure to thrive (FTT) is a concern in infant health.
- Breast-feeding is a common infant feeding method.
- Identifying underlying causes of FTT is critical for infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of organic illness in breast-fed infants with FTT.
- To compare the incidence of associated organic illness in neonates versus older infants with FTT.
- To highlight the importance of thorough clinical evaluation for FTT in breast-fed infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 breast-fed infants aged six months or less diagnosed with FTT over four years.
- Categorization of infants into neonates (≤1 month) and older infants (>1 month).
- Review of medical records to identify associated organic illnesses.
Main Results:
- Seven out of 38 (18.4%) breast-fed infants with FTT had an associated organic illness.
- Only 8% of breast-fed neonates (2/28) with FTT had an associated illness.
- 50% of older breast-fed infants (5/10) with FTT were diagnosed with an organic illness.
Conclusions:
- Breast-fed infants presenting with FTT after the neonatal period are at higher risk for underlying organic disease.
- Clinical evaluation for FTT in breast-fed infants should include a comprehensive search for organic causes.
- Early identification and management of organic illnesses associated with FTT are essential for improved infant outcomes.