A Clinical Approach to Failure to Gain Weight in Infants

Hwang, Jin Bok

Abstract

Failure to thrive is a term used to describe growth failure in infants and young children that may be accompanied by retarded social and motor achievements. The three categories of failure to thrive is based on anthropometric measurements of weight, length, and head circumference for age. Type 1 category, inadequate growth or loss of body weight with relatively normal height and head circumference, is the failure to gain weight due mainly to malnutrition. Most of time, the failure to gain weight is detected in a routine visit to the pediatrician. Many parents do not seem to notice the situation until it is brought to their attention. In most instances, the failure to gain weight is insidious and gradual. If malnutrition becomes severe and chronic during the first year of life, the child's neurologic development may be permanently affected, making early recognition and prompt intervention critical. This review may introduce a clinical approach to failure to gain weight in infants visiting out-patients clinic.