An approach to "failure to thrive".
BACKGROUND
Infants commonly present with failure to thrive. Psychosocial and nutritional causes are commonly responsible, but significant organic pathology requires exclusion in all children with failure to thrive.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses an approach to the assessment of infants presenting with failure to thrive, together with information on management and available resources.


CONCLUSIONS
Close liaison between those involved in the management of infants presenting with failure to thrive--including family, maternal child health nurse, family doctor and paediatrician--should usually allow for appropriate intervention to correct the failure to thrive.
Bergman
Philip
P
Diabetes Ambulatory Care Service, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria. philip.bergman@southernhealth.org.au
Graham
Justin
J
D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods