Summary #4572
Failure to thrive (FTT) refers to inadequate weight gain in children, defined by weight below the 5th percentile, a drop of more than 2 percentile lines, or less than 80% median weight for height. Diagnosis requires thorough history and physical examination due to multiple potential causes. Hospitalization may be necessary for severe malnutrition, underlying conditions, or failed outpatient treatment. Early recognition and treatment are critical to prevent developmental delays and long-term complications. Since FTT often stems from inadequate caloric intake rather than organic disease, an interprofessional approach involving nutrition specialists, behavioral health professionals, and social workers is essential for effective management.
Prompt: Failure to thrive (FTT) or weight faltering is commonly used to describe a lack of adequate weight gain in pediatric patients. Accepted definitions include a weight for age less than the fifth percentile on standardized growth charts, a decrease in weight percentile of more than 2 major percentile lines on the growth chart, or less than the 80th percent of median weight for height/length ratio. Given the many causes of FTT, clinicians must obtain a thorough history and physical exam. Healthcare professionals should recognize that inpatient management has a role if the patient is more severely malnourished, has other underlying conditions, or has failed outpatient management. FTT is essential to recognize and treat because it can result in developmental delays and other long-term effects for the developing child. As the underlying reason for FTT is often related to inorganic etiologies of inadequate caloric intake, leveraging an interprofessional team, including nutrition, behavioral health, and social workers, can be especially helpful when caring for pediatric patients with FTT. This activity reviews the evaluation and management of FTT and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the care of patients with this disorder.
Claude 4.5 Sonnet