Emergency department management of patients with failure to thrive

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine
• Clinical Diagnosis

Background:

• Failure to thrive (FTT) is a frequent pediatric presentation in emergency settings.
• Emergency clinicians often lack clear guidelines for evaluating FTT.
• A systematic approach is needed to manage FTT effectively.

Discussion:

• A comprehensive history and physical examination are paramount for identifying FTT causes.
• Laboratory testing has limited utility but may be considered in specific clinical scenarios.
• Radiologic studies are generally not indicated unless specific etiologies are suspected.

Key Insights:

• The primary diagnostic tools for FTT are patient history and physical examination.
• Over-reliance on laboratory and radiologic testing for FTT is often unnecessary.
• Effective FTT management focuses on accurate diagnosis and avoiding costly, low-yield investigations.

Outlook:

• Standardizing FTT workups in emergency departments can improve patient outcomes.
• Reducing unnecessary testing for FTT will decrease healthcare costs.
• Expedited and accurate FTT evaluation in the ED is achievable with clear protocols.