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Failure to thrive in infants (review)

M Hendaus1, A Al-Hammadi

  • 1Hamad Medical Corporation, Department of Pediatrics, Doha, Qatar.

Georgian Medical News
|February 8, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a common pediatric concern with varied definitions. Early identification of organic or non-organic causes through a systematic approach is crucial for effective management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Health
  • Clinical Practice

Background:

  • Failure to thrive (FTT) presents a common challenge in clinical practice.
  • Existing definitions of FTT vary among experts and institutions.
  • FTT is typically classified into organic and non-organic categories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize information on the definitions, prevalence, assessment, and management of FTT.
  • To highlight the importance of a systematic approach in diagnosing FTT.
  • To emphasize the need for a comprehensive evaluation beyond medical diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • A literature review was conducted using PubMed and various journal websites.
  • Articles containing the term "failure to thrive" were systematically searched.
  • Information on definitions, prevalence, assessment, and management was extracted and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • The review identified diverse definitions and categorizations of FTT (organic vs. non-organic).
  • A system-based approach is recommended for managing infants and children with FTT.
  • Comprehensive evaluation includes medical diagnosis, developmental assessment, nutritional status, and psychosocial factors.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate definition and consistent classification of FTT are needed.
  • A holistic, system-based approach is essential for effective FTT management.
  • Pediatricians require a broad skill set encompassing medical, developmental, and psychosocial assessments for FTT cases.

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