Failure to Thrive (FTT)
Failure to Thrive (FTT) is a term used when a child’s growth or weight gain is significantly below expected standards for their age and gender.
It’s not a single disease but a sign of underlying nutritional, medical, or psychosocial issues.
Early recognition and intervention help children regain healthy growth and development.
Overview And Clinical Background
Recognizing Growth Faltering Early
FTT occurs when a child fails to meet expected growth milestones.
Causes range from inadequate nutrition and feeding issues to chronic illness or emotional neglect.
A structured assessment helps identify the root cause and guide targeted intervention.
- Types of FTT: Organic (medical) or non-organic (environmental/feeding).
- Often seen in infants or toddlers under 2 years.
- Key approach: Address both physical and emotional factors affecting feeding.
Symptoms, Signs And Presentation
Children may appear underweight, small for age, or less active.
Delayed milestones, irritability, or feeding refusal may also be present.
In severe cases, developmental delays may occur.
- Common symptom: Slow or no weight gain over several months.
- Fatigue or lack of interest in feeding.
- Red flag: Failure to gain weight despite adequate nutrition at home.
Diagnosis Methods And Investigations
Growth Charts And Nutritional Assessments
Diagnosis is made through growth chart tracking and detailed feeding history.
Lab tests may be ordered to check for anemia, thyroid problems, or chronic infections.
- Growth monitoring: Regular weight, height, and head circumference tracking.
- Lab tests: Blood count, thyroid, and vitamin levels.
- Dietary review to evaluate calorie and nutrient intake.
Treatment Options And Surgical Techniques
There’s no surgery for FTT; treatment focuses on nutrition, feeding behavior, and managing underlying diseases.
A pediatric nutritionist often guides calorie-rich meal plans and supplements.
Family counseling helps reinforce healthy feeding habits.
- Nutritional therapy: Customized diet plans for calorie and nutrient needs.
- Medical management: Address infections or metabolic causes if present.
- Psychosocial support for caregivers to reduce feeding stress.
Recovery, Risks And Prognosis
Most children improve with early intervention and consistent follow-up.
Delayed treatment may affect brain development, but outcomes are excellent with comprehensive care.
Why Choose Us
CureU Healthcare provides multidisciplinary evaluation with pediatricians, dietitians, and psychologists.
We guide families through personalized nutrition, emotional support, and developmental follow-up.
Conclusion
With timely care, children with FTT can regain normal growth and thrive.
CureU Healthcare stands beside families every step of that journey.
