Weight faltering and failure to thrive in infancy and early childhood

摘要

SUMMARY POINTS:Weight faltering is nota disease, but rathera description of a relatively common growth pattern It is most commonly caused by undemutrition relative to a child's specific energy requirements Causes tend to be multifactorial and often involve problems with diet and feeding behaviourthat usually respond to simple targeted advice More rarely, weight faltering may be associated with neglect or maternal mental health problems or addiction The health visitor (public health nurse) is often best placed to assess and advise in the first instance Organic disease is rare in otherwise asymptomatic children, but it is reasonable to rule out organic disease'if dietary and behavioural interventions are unsuccessful