Failure to thrive (FTT)
What you need to know about failure to thrive - Today's Parent
Failure to thrive (FTT) is a term used to describe children who don't grow or develop normally. It's defined as decelerated or arrested physical growth. Children who fail to thrive don't gain weight or height according to standard medical growth charts.
FTT is caused by a baby or child not having enough nutrition. Some reasons for failing to thrive include:
- Economic problems that affect nutrition, living conditions, and parental attitudes
- Exposure to infections, parasites, or toxins
- Poor eating habits, such as eating in front of the television and not having formal meal times
Symptoms of failure to thrive include:
- Poor sucking
- Hard to feed
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Sleeps too much or not enough
- Fussiness
- Weak cry
- Loses weight or does not gain enough weight
- Stiff or "floppy" muscles