Nursing is one of the most important roles in healthcare. In addition to delivering treatments and care, you are also an essential educational resource for patients and their families. During your career, you will encounter patients with various health issues. Learning about them is important to offer the support your patients need to thrive.
One of the conditions you may encounter with pediatric patients is failure to thrive (FTT). Also called faltering growth, it is a term used to describe children when they do not grow according to the standard recognized for healthy growth. Faltering is not a disorder or disease. Rather, it is when a child is malnourished.
In the US and other high-income countries, 1-10% of children under the age of 2 years present to healthcare organizations showing symptoms of FTT. Failing to address the issue can lead to significant problems for affected children. In this Fast CE For Less guide, we will cover the important facts about failure to thrive, including its symptoms, diagnosis, treatments to improve heath.
What Is Failure to Thrive?
Also called faltering growth or faltering Failure to Thrive, FTT is a term that describes insufficient weight gain or a lack of proper physical growth in children. The problem can occur in infants and older children, regardless of their gender. It is often identified when a child’s weight is below the third or fifth percentile on standardized growth charts or when a child cannot maintain their growth trajectory.
Monitoring growth in children from birth is necessary since it offers early warning signs of potential health problems. If a child’s growth falters, it can have a major negative impact on their physical development and emotional and cognitive well-being.
What are the Symptoms of Failure to Thrive?
Typically, a child affected by failure to thrive falls below the growth standards on standardized charts. Changes in specific numbers concerning growth rates can also help identify faltering growth. Some children suffering from faltering growth show some of the following symptoms:
- Poor weight gain
- Delayed growth in height and head circumference
- Irritability and excessive fussiness
- Lethargy or low energy levels
- Developmental delays in motor and social skills
- Poor feeding habits or low appetite
- Frequent illnesses and infections
Many people fail to see these symptoms for what they are in their children. As a nurse, understanding these symptoms and identifying them in infants and young children can help you detect the problem early. As with any health concern, early detection helps you provide timely intervention and improve health outcomes in children.
What Causes Failure to Thrive?
Failure to thrive is not a disease or disorder, but certain underlying problems can lead to it. Several possibilities can lead to faltering growth in children as infants and as they grow older.
Causes of FTT in Infants
Failure to Thrive (FTT) in infants often begins with difficulties in feeding. A common issue is a poor sucking reflex, which can prevent an infant from effectively breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. This reflex is crucial for ensuring that infants receive the necessary nutrients for growth. Another significant cause is low breast milk production. When a mother’s milk supply is insufficient, the baby does not receive enough calories, leading to inadequate weight gain. Addressing these issues early is vital to prevent further complications.
Causes of FTT in Older Children
As children grow, other factors can contribute to FTT. One of the primary causes is inadequate caloric intake. This can happen if a child has a poor appetite or is a picky eater, leading to insufficient consumption of essential nutrients. Additionally, malnutrition can result from an unbalanced diet lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Children in such scenarios may also experience delayed growth and development. This delay can affect their physical stature and their cognitive and social skills, further impacting their overall well-being.
The Developmental Effects of FTT on Children
The effects of FTT extend beyond immediate physical health. One significant concern is its impact on bone development. Children who do not receive adequate nutrition may develop weak bones, making them more susceptible to fractures and other skeletal issues. Furthermore, brain development can be severely affected by malnutrition.
Proper brain growth requires a steady supply of nutrients, and deficiencies during critical growth periods can lead to cognitive delays and learning difficulties. These developmental effects highlight the importance of addressing FTT promptly and effectively to ensure a child’s overall health and development.
Understanding the Symptoms of Failure to Thrive in Children
Failure to Thrive (FTT) can present a range of symptoms that signal underlying nutritional deficiencies and health issues. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for timely intervention and treatment.
Physical Indicators
- Poor Weight Gain: Children with FTT typically weigh significantly below the standard for their age and sex. This lack of weight gain is among the earliest and most noticeable signs.
- Delayed Growth in Height and Head Circumference: In addition to weight, children may also experience slower growth in height and head size, indicating a broader issue with physical development.
Behavioral Signs
- Irritability and Excessive Fussiness: Malnourished children often become more irritable and fussier than their well-nourished peers. This behavior can be due to the discomfort and lack of energy associated with poor nutrition.
- Lethargy or Low Energy Levels: Children with FTT may seem unusually tired and lack the energy typical for their age. They might be less active and show little interest in their surroundings.
Developmental Delays
- Delayed Motor Skills: Poor nutrition can slow the development of motor skills, such as crawling and walking, and fine motor tasks, like holding objects.
- Social Skills Delays: Children may also lag in developing social skills, such as interacting with peers, showing emotions, and responding to social cues.
Poor Feeding Habits
- Low Appetite: Children with FTT often have a diminished appetite, which worsens their nutritional deficiencies.
- Frequent Illnesses and Infections: Malnutrition weakens the immune system, making children more susceptible to infections and illnesses, which can further slow growth and development.
Identifying and understanding these symptoms is essential for healthcare providers, especially nurses, to initiate early interventions and effectively support the child’s health and development.
Diagnostic Tools to Identify Failure to Thrive in Children
A healthcare provider can determine a child’s ideal weight range by comparing height, age, weight, and sex to national averages.
Growth Charts
Growth charts are essential tools in diagnosing Failure to Thrive (FTT). These charts allow healthcare providers to track a child’s growth over time, comparing their weight, height, and head circumference against standardized percentiles. By plotting these measurements, clinicians can observe trends and identify any deviations from typical growth patterns. Consistent plotting on growth charts can reveal whether a child is maintaining their growth trajectory or experiencing faltering growth. These visual tools are critical for early detection of FTT and prompt intervention.
Percentiles and Growth Standards
Percentiles on growth charts provide a reference for comparing a child’s growth to that of their peers. For instance, if a child falls below the third or fifth percentile, it may indicate FTT. Percentiles help in assessing whether a child’s growth is within the normal range or if there are concerns that need further investigation. Understanding growth standards and how to interpret percentiles is crucial for healthcare providers to diagnose and manage FTT accurately.
In addition to growth charts and percentiles, healthcare providers can also order blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and developmental screenings to diagnose FTT. If healthcare providers believe the family has unhealthy practices causing failure to thrive, they may also recommend caregivers to get counseling to address it.
Importance of Regular Check-ups and Monitoring
Regular check-ups are vital for early detection of FTT. During these visits, healthcare providers can monitor growth, assess feeding practices, and identify any potential health issues. Regular monitoring ensures that any signs of FTT are detected early, allowing for timely intervention.
Nurses play a crucial role in check-ups, educating parents on the importance of tracking growth and attending scheduled appointments. Consistent monitoring and early intervention can significantly improve the outcomes for children at risk of FTT.
What are the Treatments for Failure to Thrive?
The treatment for faltering growth can vary depending on the child’s overall health, the severity of the symptoms, the underlying cause, and the family environment. In some cases, healthcare providers can resolve the issue by treating the underlying health issue leading to FTT.
Treating Failure to Thrive (FTT) often begins with addressing nutritional deficiencies. Ensuring that a child receives adequate calories and nutrients is the cornerstone of any treatment plan. This may involve increasing the frequency of feedings, providing high-calorie formula or breast milk supplements, and introducing nutrient-dense foods as appropriate. A balanced diet tailored to the child’s specific needs is crucial for promoting healthy growth and development. Healthcare providers, including dietitians, can develop personalized nutrition plans to meet these needs.
A balanced diet is essential for children with FTT to recover and thrive. This diet should include a variety of foods to provide all necessary nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet helps caregivers understand how to support their child’s growth. Nurses can educate families on selecting nutritious foods and planning meals that contribute to the child’s overall health. If FTT is being caused by issues at home, healthcare providers should consult social services.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Ongoing monitoring and follow-up care are critical components of managing FTT. Regular check-ups allow healthcare providers to assess the child’s progress and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. These appointments provide opportunities to monitor weight gain, growth, and developmental milestones. Consistent follow-up helps in detecting any new or persisting issues early, ensuring that the child continues to progress toward healthy growth patterns.
Role of Healthcare Providers in Treatment Plans
Healthcare providers, including nurses, pediatricians, and dietitians, work together to create and implement effective treatment plans for children with FTT. Their collaborative efforts ensure comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of the child’s health. Nurses, in particular, play a vital role in educating families, providing support, and coordinating care. They help parents understand the importance of following the treatment plan, monitor the child’s progress, and offer guidance on any concerns or challenges that arise.
Potential Outcomes with Early Intervention
Early intervention in FTT can lead to significantly better outcomes for children. When FTT is identified and treated promptly, children are more likely to catch up to their peers in terms of growth and development. Early nutritional support can prevent long-term developmental delays and improve overall health. The role of nurses in early detection and intervention is crucial, as they are often the first to identify signs of FTT during routine care. By ensuring that children receive the necessary support early on, healthcare providers can help mitigate the risks associated with FTT and promote healthy development.
The Role of Nurses in Managing Failure to Thrive
Nurses play a vital role in managing Failure to Thrive (FTT) by providing education and support to parents and caregivers. They monitor the child’s growth and development through regular follow-ups, ensuring that any signs of FTT are detected early.
Nurses collaborate with pediatricians and dietitians to develop and implement effective treatment plans. They also offer guidance on proper feeding techniques, nutritional requirements, and ways to encourage healthy eating habits. Nurses can significantly improve health outcomes for children with FTT by staying vigilant and informed.
If you have not completed your nursing continuing education requirements to renew your nursing license and want to learn more about providing care for your patients, online nursing CEUs offered by Fast CE For Less can help.
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