pediatrics
Failure to Thrive (FTT) in Children
Key Points
Failure to thrive (FTT) is weight consistently below the 3rd to 5th percentile for age and sex, progressive decrease in weight to below the 3rd to 5th percentile, or a decrease in 2 major growth percentiles in a short period. Organic FTT is due to a medical disorder (eg, malabsorption, inborn error of metabolism). Nonorganic FTT is due to psychosocial problems (eg, neglect, poverty, difficult parent-child interactions). In addition to taking a thorough medical, social, and dietary history, health care providers should observe parents/caregivers feeding the child. Hospitalization may be necessary to evaluate the child, to observe the child's response to appropriate feeding, and to involve a feeding team if needed. 