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Introduction

Failure to thrive (FTT) (ie, poor weight gain, weight faltering) describes a lack of appropriate weight gain relative to a patient's age, linear growth, sex, and genetic potential.  Consensus criteria for FTT are not yet established, but proposed criteria include weight that crosses ≥2 major percentiles (eg, 25th, 10th, 5th) and is downtrending when plotted on an appropriate growth chart for gestation-corrected age and sex ( Figure 1).  FTT is typically a sign of underlying medical, nutritional, developmental, behavioral, and/or psychosocial issues that require further evaluation.

Pathogenesis and risk factors

FTT is common (affecting 5%-10% of children in resource-abundant settings) and occurs due to an imbalance between caloric intake, absorption, and expenditure, or a combination of these.  Risk factors include:

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1