Design and implementation of a pediatric failure to thrive registry system in Iran

Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to inadequate growth caused by an inability to acquire or use enough calories for growth. It refers to a failure to develop over time, which can lead to more serious problems in adulthood if left untreated. FTT is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing countries like Iran. Effective FTT management necessitates timely, inclusive, and precise data on children's FTT status. A pediatric FTT registry system is a useful tool for gathering and managing data on children with FTT. This study proposes a pediatric FTT registry system for Iran.

A developmental-applied study was conducted in three phases during 2024. The first phase involved defining the features of a pediatric FTT registry system through interviews with experts. The second phase entailed expert validation using the Delphi method. In the third phase, the software was designed based on a conceptual model using the Hypertext Preprocessor programming language and the Laravel framework. PostgreSQL was employed as the database management system. Moreover, Nielsen's Ten Usability Heuristics was used to evaluate the software's usability from the users' perspectives.

Experts validated the features of the pediatric FTT registry system, resulting in a framework that included eight headings, 24 sub-headings, and 117 data elements. The usability assessment of the software revealed that the highest number of issues concerned the "error prevention" indicator, whereas the "aesthetic and minimalist design" indicator presented the fewest problems and was assumed flawless.

A pediatric FFT registry system contributes significantly to service planning, management, disease surveillance, and research. Accordingly, future research is recommended to investigate the feasibility of implementing the pediatric FFT registry system in Iran.