FTT

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

Failure to Thrive (FTT) is a medical condition commonly observed in infants and young children, characterized by inadequate growth or the inability to maintain growth. This condition can be indicative of underlying health issues or environmental factors that impede normal development.

Causes

FTT can be caused by a variety of factors, which are generally categorized into organic and non-organic causes:

• Organic causes: These are related to underlying medical conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, and chronic infections.
• Non-organic causes: These are related to environmental or psychosocial factors such as inadequate nutrition, neglect, or poverty.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of FTT is poor weight gain. Other symptoms may include:

• Delayed developmental milestones
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Lack of age-appropriate social response
• Poor feeding habits

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of FTT involves a comprehensive evaluation including:

• Detailed medical history
• Physical examination
• Growth measurements (weight, height, and head circumference)
• Laboratory tests to identify underlying medical conditions

Treatment

Treatment of FTT focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This may involve:

• Nutritional support and dietary modifications
• Treatment of underlying medical conditions
• Psychosocial interventions to address environmental factors
• Regular monitoring of growth and development

Prognosis

The prognosis for children with FTT varies depending on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of the treatment. Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes and ensuring normal growth and development.

See also

• Pediatric nutrition
• Growth chart
• Developmental delay
• Malnutrition
• Child neglect

Related Pages

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Celiac disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Congenital heart disease
• Chronic infections
• Pediatric nutrition
• Growth chart
• Developmental delay
• Malnutrition
• Child neglect

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