Failure to Thrive

Failure to thrive describes a pattern in which a child does not gain weight or does not grow at the expected rate for their age, compared with the usual references for child development.

When to pay attention? It is worth watching when a sustained stalling in weight or height is noticed, poor appetite, or a development that does not progress like that of other children of a similar age.

Common causes: It may be due to nutritional factors, feeding difficulties, digestive conditions, or hormonal disorders, among others.

Which specialist evaluates it? Follow-up usually begins with the general practitioner or the pediatrician; depending on the findings, a pediatric endocrinologist or a nutritionist may get involved to study the case in depth. When there are doubts about a child's growth, the most sensible thing is to raise them with a professional who can evaluate the full context.