Failure to Thrive

Causes

100

Exists when an infant or child fails to grow or develop normally and does not obtain or properly use calories; therefore, does not gain enough weight for their age or height.

What is failure to thrive.

200

(Psychosocial) Caused by environmental, economic, and psychological problems that affect the caretakers.

What is non-organic failure to thrive?

300

Very young or immature parents, problems in the mother/child relationship, marital discord, poverty, single parenthood, low tolerance for stress on the part of the caretakers, alcohol and drug abuse, infant drug withdrawal due to maternal addiction, maternal anxiety or depression, lack of social support, inadequate breast milk, lack of parental information concerning nutrition, consistent errors in preparation of formula, and, force feeding of the child are risks of:

What are non-organic failure to thrive risk factors?

400

(Medical) Occurs when there is an underlying medical cause

What is organic failure to thrive?

500

Congenital heart defects, congenital abnormalities such as cleft lip and cleft palate, neurological lesions, gastro esophageal reflux disease, cystic fibrosis, microcephaly chronic renal failure, malabsorption syndrome, and AIDS are all reasons for:

What are some of the reasons for organic failure to thrive?

Signs and Symptoms

100

• Weight loss below the 3rd to 5th percentile. • Failure to gain weight. • Anorexia or abnormal consumption of food. • Loss of subcutaneous fat • Poor muscle mass • Infrequent or scanty stools • Vomiting and diarrhea • General neuromuscular spasticity

What are signs and symptoms of failure to thrive?

200

• Apathetic or irritable • Unresponsive to cuddling • May appear withdrawn • Avoid eye contact • Smile rarely • Behave like they distrust caretakers

What are additional symptoms of failure to thrive due to inorganic causes?

300

• Poor hygiene: dirty body, fingernails, and clothes • Severe diaper rash • Flattened occiput

What are symptoms of neglect?

400

*Developmental delays *Language delays *Learning disabilities *Social behavioral problems *Vitamin deficiencies *Dehydration *Fluid and electrolyte embalances

What are signs if left untreated?

Assessment/Dx/Tx

100

Based on a growth chart comparison, examination, and assessment

What is diagnosis of failure to thrive?

200

• Family and medical to include substance abuse • Psychological and social history • Detailed history of home feeding practices • Physical assessment to include observations, weights and measurements • Obtain complete blood count (CBC) and electrolyte panel

What is assessment of failure to thrive?

300

• Reverse the malnutrition and provide the child with enough calories needed to achieve catch up growth and ideal weight. • Inform the parents that many health care professionals will be involved in their child’s therapy with a multidisciplinary team of pediatrician, nurse, dietician, social worker, physical therapist, and mental health counselor. Parents and other caretakers are at the vital core of the child’s recovery. • Teach and demonstrate good feeding techniques. • Encourage feeding schedules and good habits and environments • Encourage vitamins and use of a food diary

What are the major goals of failure to thrive?