Abstract

TAVARES, Mónica; MATOS, Inês Vaz; BANDEIRA, Anabela  and  GUEDES, Margarida. Approach of failure to thrive. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2013, vol.22, n.3, pp.162-166. ISSN 0872-0754.

Introduction: Failure to thrive is one of the most frequent consultation referrals in Pediatrics. Both the difficulties in its definition and the different approaches lead to a lack of consensual management. The fact that, in about 70% of the cases, the causes of failure to thrive are non organic, complicates this issue. Objective: With this review the authors aim to propose a diagnostic and management strategy to evaluate and monitor these patients. Methods: Review of relevant articles published on the designation of “failure to thrive” or “fallo of medro” using the databases PubMed and Cochrane. Development: The most frequent cause of failure to thrive is related to an inadequate energy intake conditioned by psychosocial or behavioral problems. In fact only 5% of the causes of poor weight gain can be attributed to organic disease, which makes a systematic approach of these children even more difficult. The random use of laboratory tests contributes very little to the underlying diagnosis and is not recommended. A multidisciplinary approach of these children and their families, ideally with home monitoring, associated with an optimization of food intake is effective in weight gain and in a better interaction between the children and the caregivers. Conclusions: Early recognition of this situation, associated with a multidisciplinary approach, optimized the energy intake, minimizes the long-term consequences.

Keywords : Failure to thrive; nutritional assessment; diagnosis; treatment.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )