Compensatory growth in infants with severe failure to thrive

We studied compensatory growth and caloric intake during an accelerated growth period of ten infants with severe failure to thrive (FTT). The mean age at diagnosis was 7.1 months (range 1.5 to 16.0 months). The average percentage of normal weight for age in this group was 54.9%, mean length was 58 cm (86% normal for age), and the mean head circumference was 39.7 cm (92% normal for age). Compensatory growth rebound was completed after 6.2 months (range 3.5 to 9.0 months). Minimal calorie counts during peak rate of growth averaged 187 kcal/kg/day (range 147 to 213). The final group average percentage of normal weight for age was 95.5%, an increase of 40%. The group of rebounding infants gained 31 gm/day. The group's length increased to 94% of that expected for age and head circumference to 98% of that expected for age. Like malnourished infants, these with FTT had compensatory growth when managed with ad libitum caloric intake equal to twice the expected intake.