Failure To Thrive In Children
Is FTT Related To Infant Anorexia?

Failure To Thrive (FTT) occurs when feeding problems prevent a child from consuming the required calories needed in order to maintain proper growth. A baby not eating can lead to poor weight gain, and possibly even infant anorexia.

Failure to thrive - also known as faltering growth - is a diagnosis unto itself, but it's also something that represents the result or side effect of other illnesses.

There are two categories within the diagnosis of failure to thrive:

• Organic - means that there is an underlying medical condition.


• Nonorganic (psychosocial) - typically refers to children who are younger than two years old, and there is no known medical condition causing their poor growth.

These children who are not growing as expected are failing to meet height and weight measurements for their age. In fact, they usually fall below the 5th percentile.

Growth velocity is also taken into account. For example, if your child is currently underweight and/or has a very small stature, but is showing a steady rate of increased growth with no other symptoms, then this could be a very positive sign.

What Causes Failure To Thrive?

Failture to thrive (FTT) can be caused by several different medical conditions.

Among them are types illnesses that will either cause a decreased intake of calories, cause a loss of calories, or require an increased intake of calories.

Some examples might be hyperthyroidism, heart disease or lung problems.

Infant anorexia may cause FTT, but it can also work the other way around where FTT causes an eating disorder, due to the lack of appetite or desire to eat.

The causes of nonorganic FTT are almost always due to emotional and/or nutritional deprivation. The two are very closely related, especially in families with poor economic status, or a predisposition for emotional problems.

How Do You Recognize Symptoms Of Failure To Thrive?

Since infants and young children are generally monitored by a physician quite frequently, they may recognize certain symptoms right away. However, as a parent or care-giver, here are some signs to watch out for between check-ups -

• Child gets tired easily
• Avoids eye contact
• Lack of co-ordination; motor skills not developing properly
• Sleeps for long periods of time
• Doesn't make vocal sounds
• Prader-Willi Syndrome

Keep in mind that these can be symptoms of other medical conditions as well. Always consult with your doctor for a professional diagnosis.

Treatment for this illness largely depends on the underlying cause, but in general, a team approach is recommended. The treatment team will likely consist of specialists in pediatrics - such as a physician and nutritionist.

Other food disorders related to anorexia in children include Rumination Disorder.

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