While infants, children and adolescents all grow at different rates, it is important they continue to grow during various stages of childhood. Sometimes a child may not grow as expected. If you are concerned, you should speak to your child’s physician.
You should review your child’s growth chart with a doctor to obtain objective evidence regarding your child's growth.
The reasons for a child's lack of weight gain may include:
- Inadequate intake of calories
- Excessive losses, such as vomiting or diarrhea
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that affect absorption of food
- Conditions elsewhere in the body that require extra calories or lead to impaired normal growth, including:
- Cancer
- Cerebral palsy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hormonal problems
- Infections such as recurrent respiratory infections or urinary tract infections
- Heart disease
- Genetic abnormalities
Symptoms of failure to thrive include:
- Poor weight gain
- Decreased growth in length (height) and/or head circumference
- Delay in reaching milestones
Diagnosis of Failure to Thrive
Healthcare providers at Riley at IU Health may perform a variety of tests and exams to make a diagnosis. Which tests are used will depend on:
- Your child’s health history
- Your child’s growth chart patterns
- Results of your child’s physical exam
- Results of your child’s diet record
Diagnostic tests may include:
- A physical exam
- A diet and feeding history
- Developmental history
- Blood tests such as a complete blood count, electrolytes and additional testing as appropriate
- Upper endoscopy or colonoscopy as appropriate
- Imaging studies, guided by clinical history and physical exam
The physician may also refer your child to a dietitian.
Treatments
Treatments
Treatment for failure to thrive involves:
- Treating the underlying condition
- Evaluation by a dietitian to help increase caloric intake
- Feeding evaluation
- Feeding tube placement or intravenous (IV) nutrition, if needed
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- All children grow at different rates.
- If you are concerned about your child’s growth, talk with a physician.
- There can be many causes for a lack of weight gain, including other conditions.
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Visit the websites below to find support groups and services and learn more about failure to thrive.
Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
This website offers information about failure to thrive, including its causes, symptoms and treatments.
The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition provides this useful PDF about failure to thrive.
Failure to Thrive Research
Failure to Thrive Research
The pediatric specialists at Riley at IU Health have completed research on the natural history of patients with failure to thrive. They are now working to improve how general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists manage children with failure to thrive.
Locations
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Sort through 48 facilities offering Failure to Thrive care by entering your city or zip below.