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Failure to Thrive

Inadequate physical growth in infants and young children, defined by weight or weight-for-length below set percentile thresholds.

Also: FTT, Growth Faltering

Causes are organic (chronic disease, malabsorption), nonorganic (psychosocial, neglect, food insecurity), or mixed. Workup includes growth chart review, feeding history, social assessment, and targeted labs. MNT focuses on energy- and protein-dense intake, structured feeding, and family-centered counseling. Severe cases may need hospitalization or tube feeding.

How one textbook covers it

  • Krause and Mahan's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 16th ed. — Chapter 16

    Causes are organic (chronic disease, malabsorption), nonorganic (psychosocial, neglect, food insecurity), or mixed. Workup includes growth chart review, feeding history, social assessment, and targeted labs. MNT focuses on energy- and protein-dense intake, structured feeding, and family-centered counseling. Severe cases may need hospitalization or tube feeding.

Related terms

ARFID, Catch-up Growth, Growth Charts