Related Experiment Videos
Non-organic failure to thrive complicated by benign intracranial hypertension during catch-up growth
L Alison1, C J Hobbs, H G Hanks
1Department of Community Paediatrics, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Insights
A 9-year-old boy experienced severe failure to thrive due to abuse. After a caregiver change, he showed catch-up growth, but developed benign intracranial hypertension with headaches and vomiting.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Growth Disorders
Background:
- Non-organic failure to thrive (NOFTT) in children can stem from severe physical and emotional abuse.
- Food deprivation is a critical factor contributing to NOFTT.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old boy presented with severe NOFTT secondary to documented abuse and food deprivation.
- Following a change in his living situation and care, the boy exhibited rapid catch-up growth in both weight and height.
Findings:
- The patient demonstrated a poor initial growth hormone response to clonidine stimulation.
- Recovery of normal growth hormone secretion coincided with the development of benign intracranial hypertension.
- Symptoms of intracranial hypertension included headaches and vomiting.
Implications:
- This case highlights the complex interplay between severe psychosocial stress, nutritional deficits, and endocrine function in children.
- The resolution of growth deficits and subsequent development of benign intracranial hypertension suggest a potential link between nutritional rehabilitation and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics.
- Further research into the mechanisms connecting nutritional recovery, growth hormone dynamics, and intracranial pressure in abused children is warranted.
Abstract:
Severe non-organic failure to thrive associated with physical and emotional abuse including food deprivation was diagnosed in a 9-y-old boy. Rapid catch-up growth (weight and height) followed change of carer. Recovery of poor growth hormone response to clonidine stimulation was associated with benign intracranial hypertension accompanied by headaches and vomiting. Possible mechanisms are discussed.