Children are diagnosed with failure to thrive when they don’t gain weight at the same rate as other children their age and sex. While failure to thrive is not a disease itself, it is a sign that a child is not getting enough nutrition or that another condition may be affecting the way the body processes calories.
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What are the signs and symptoms of failure to thrive?
By definition, children with failure to thrive have poor weight gain. Depending on other possible factors, there may also be:
- Poor appetite
- Refusal to eat
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fatigue
- Delays in motor skills
Please remember that failure to thrive is a description, not a diagnosis. It’s important to see your child’s doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What causes failure to thrive?
Failure to thrive can have many causes. Some common causes can include:
- Not eating enough food, sometimes from poor appetite or actual aversion to eating
- Digestive problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), celiac disease, or other disorders associated with poor absorption
- Food allergies
- Problems with metabolism
- Kidney or heart issues
How is failure to thrive treated?
Treatment for failure to thrive will depend on what is causing the condition. If your child has an underlying medical condition, getting treatment should help improve symptoms. Whatever the cause, your care team at Connecticut Children’s will work with you and your family to help your child get the nutrients they need to grow. Our skilled dieticians will work closely with you.