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What do we know about children who fail to thrive?
1Department of Community Child Health, Leeds General Infirmary, UK.
Insights
Children with failure to thrive (FTT) often experience significant developmental delays, poor nutrition, and behavioral issues. Early, intensive, multidisciplinary intervention is crucial for addressing these complex challenges in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Development
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Failure to thrive (FTT) is a critical concern in early childhood.
- Children with FTT often present with complex, multifaceted issues beyond poor growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To overview the challenges faced by children with poor growth in an intensive community intervention trial for FTT.
- To identify associated developmental, dietary, and behavioral problems in FTT children.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of 63 children (6 months to 2.5 years) using Bayley Developmental Scales and HAD Scales.
- Evaluation of developmental delay, dietary intake (calories, iron), iron deficiency, eating behaviors, and maternal mental health.
Main Results:
- 55% of children showed developmental delay (27% severe).
- 77% had inadequate caloric intake, and 19% consumed <50% of requirements.
- 60% exhibited eating difficulties, and one-third had iron deficiency anemia.
Conclusions:
- Children with FTT frequently have co-occurring developmental, nutritional, and behavioral problems.
- These issues may not be immediately apparent and necessitate intensive, multidisciplinary support.
- Early identification and intervention are vital for improving outcomes in FTT.
Abstract:
It is the aim of this article to provide an overview of difficulties in children with poor growth enrolled in an intensive community intervention trial for failure to thrive (FTT). Children were assessed for developmental delay (Bayley test), inadequate diet, iron deficiency, eating and other behavioural problems, and maternal anxiety and depression (HAD Scales). Sixty-three children aged 6 months to 2 1/2 years were studied. The majority of children were from families living in poverty with many from divorced, separated or single families. On developmental testing (Bayley Developmental Scales) 55% were delayed, 27% severely. Seventy-seven per cent had caloric intakes below the expected average requirement (EAR) with 19% reported at less than 50% of requirements. Iron intakes were similarly low and one-third had iron deficiency anaemia on testing. Sixty per cent of children were reported to have eating difficulties, principally in terms of responding negatively to food. Eating difficulties had commonly presented within the first weeks of life. Other behavioural and sleeping difficulties were also common. Children identified as failing to thrive in the community are likely to have associated developmental, dietary and behavioural problems which may not be immediately evident and to an extent which may require intensive multidisciplinary involvement.