Weight faltering and failure to thrive in infancy and early childhood

Shields, B., Wacogne, I. and Wright, C.M. (2012) Weight faltering and failure to thrive in infancy and early childhood. British Medical Journal, 345, e5931. (doi: 10.1136/bmj.e5931)

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Abstract

Weight faltering, or failure to thrive, is a childhood condition that provokes concern about possible neglect, deprivation, and organic illness. However, research over the past 20 years has brought the validity of this concern into question, leading to the proposal that management should be less aggressive.We summarise the evidence base, discuss new developments, and provide a practical approach to management. Failure to thrive has been defined in a range of ways, with no overall accepted definition but an essential element is subnormal growth or weight gain, hence the increasing use in recent years of the term weight faltering.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wright, Professor Charlotte
Authors: Shields, B., Wacogne, I., and Wright, C.M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Journal Name:British Medical Journal
Publisher:BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:0959-535X
Published Online:25 September 2012

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