Failure to thrive
A sign of inadequate weight gain in children.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Failure to thrive (FTT), also known as weight faltering or faltering growth, is a term used in pediatrics to describe insufficient weight gain or absence of appropriate physical growth in children. It is not a specific disease but a sign of inadequate weight gain, most commonly diagnosed before two years of age, though it can present at any age. The condition is evaluated by low weight for age or low rate of weight increase, with no single universally accepted definition for diagnosis.
Quick Facts
- Field
- Pediatrics
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Failure to thrive is most commonly diagnosed before two years of age, when growth rates are highest. Caretakers may express concern about poor weight gain or smaller size compared to peers. Physicians often identify FTT during routine office visits when growth parameters are not increasing appropriately on growth curves. The characteristic pattern seen with children with inadequate nutritional intake is an initial deceleration in weight gain, followed weeks to months later by deceleration in stature, and finally deceleration in head circumference.
Reader's Guide
Failure to thrive is a common presenting problem in pediatric populations worldwide, in both resource-abundant and resource-poor countries. Inadequate caloric intake remains the most common cause in both developed and developing countries, and poverty is the greatest risk factor globally. In developed countries, prevalence is about 8% among pediatric patients, with FTT comprising 5-10% of outpatient visits and 3-5% of hospital admissions for children. In developing countries, FTT is more common and mostly driven by malnutrition due to poverty. The condition is not a specific disease but a sign that requires clinical assessment, with causes traditionally divided into endogenous (organic) and exogenous (nonorganic) factors, though as many as 90% of cases are non-organic. Understanding FTT is crucial for early intervention to prevent long-term growth deficits and associated complications.
Did You Know?
- Failure to thrive is also referred to as ill-thrift in veterinary medicine.
- As many as 90% of failure to thrive cases are non-organic.
- Worldwide, problems with receiving adequate nutrition contribute to about 45% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years old.
- In 2020, global estimates indicated 149 million children under 5 were stunted and 45 million were wasted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Failure to thrive?
Failure to thrive is a pediatric sign—not a standalone disease—that flags when a child isn't gaining weight or growing at an expected pace. It is most often identified before a child turns two, though it can surface at any age.
What are Failure to thrive's powers/role?
Its primary role is serving as a clinical indicator that a child's caloric intake or overall nutrition is insufficient to support normal growth. In developed countries, roughly 8% of pediatric patients encounter this sign at some point.
Why is Failure to thrive important?
It matters because it acts as an early warning that a child's nutritional needs aren't being met, prompting clinicians to investigate feeding practices, medical conditions, or socioeconomic barriers. Catching it early can prevent long-term physical and cognitive consequences.
What is Failure to thrive's greatest weakness?
Poverty stands as the single greatest risk factor, as it limits access to adequate food and consistent medical care. The condition also lacks one universally agreed-upon diagnostic threshold, which can delay recognition across different clinics.
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