Failure to Thrive: The Inability of a Child to Grow

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Developmental Impact
Faith and Professional Perspective
Resources for Families
References

Introduction

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a concept denoting the inability of a child to grow at the rate and to the extent that he or she should. Children that fail to thrive are usually significantly smaller or shorter compared to other children of the same age. When they become teenagers, they are more likely to have shorter stature or seem to have lacking the average changes that should have occurred at puberty. While there is wide variety in what it is conserved to be average growth and development, understanding the symptoms of FTT, its impact, and professional perspectives is imperative for dealing with the condition.

Furthermore, the current exploration will also include religious considerations regarding the possible explanations or clarifications. Studying FTT is important for the field of human development because of the need to understand the reasons for its development, implications for children and adolescents, as well as possible areas for research.

Developmental Impact

The rate of changes in weight and height are more significant than the real measurements. The symptoms of FTT can occur even in the first year of a person’s life when an infant has body measurements that are smaller than the standard growth charts. This means that the weight of the child “falls lower than the third percentile outlined in standard growth charts (or 20% below the ideal weight for their height)” (“Failure to thrive,” n.d., para. 7). Delayed growth may happen after a previously-established growth curve. Issues with slower development may occur in such children’s physical skills as sitting, rolling over, and later standing and walking. Mental and social skills can also develop with delays, as well as secondary sexual characteristics when it comes to adolescent individuals.

The impact on the child that has FTT is significant because the condition acts as a combination of various factors. For specialists working in the area of human development, it is imperative to study a wide range of factors that could have influenced the condition’s occurrence. Chromosome abnormalities, such as the Turner and Down syndromes, have a significant influence on the progress of growth, causing delays in development (Cole & Lanham, 2011). Endocrine system complications, such as thyroid hormone, growth hormone deficiency, and other hormone deficiencies, reduce the capabilities of children to develop slower than expected (Cole & Lanham, 2011).

Defects occurring in vital organ systems, such as heart or lungs, complicate the inflow of nutrients into the body, leading to developmental issues. In addition, such health problems as anemia, cerebral palsy, chronic infections, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal issues can all be the cause of delayed development, presenting significant challenges for children.

Beyond the mentioned factors, it is also imperative to consider that environmental factors may exasperate FTT. For example, emotional deprivation caused by parental rejection or withdrawal can adversely influence the mental stability of children, leading to developmental delays (Goh, How, & Ng, 2016). Economic problems that limit proper nutrition as well as contribute to poor living conditions are also prerequisites for FTT. Therefore, apart from innate or developed health conditions, environmental factors can encourage emerging delays in growth progress.

There is an overall consensus that prolonged malnutrition in combination with underlying health conditions can adversely influence both future growth and cognitive development. For instance, preterm children who had low birth weight and developed FTT had also shown long-term developmental effects (Glass et al., 2016). At eight years old, they will be smaller, have lower cognitive scores, and have a generally poor academic performance if to compare them to preterm infants who did not develop FTT (Cole & Lanham, 2011). Due to developmental delays, children are highly likely to have lower academic performance and poor work habits. Furthermore, it is imperative to note the possibility of IQ reduction among the target group (Cole & Lanham, 2011). However, further research is needed to determine the range of effects of FTT on cognitive development, academic performance, and growth in late childhood and adolescence.

Faith and Professional Perspective

From the perspective of Christian faith, there are no specific considerations associated with FTT. However, since the condition is a developmental delay that can affect multiple functions, several passages in the Scripture could apply to the present context. For example, in Exodus 4:10-12 says, “but Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I have never been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” The passage indicates Moses’s speech issues, which can occur with children diagnosed with FTT.

However, it is imperative to note the overall positive tone of the Bible when it comes to approaching such issues as developmental problems. In Psalm 139: 13-14, it says, “for it was You created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.” The passage indicates the acceptance of possible differences that people have at birth. Another quote is also important to note, in Corinthians 4:17-18, it says, “for our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen.” The Scripture teaches people to have a positive outlook on life despite what it may bring to people.

For the parents of children who were diagnosed with FTT, acceptance and a positive attitude are imperative for maintaining mental health and be proactive in treatment and management. For human service providers, it is essential to facilitate mental health support and guidance through the process of treatment and FTT management. The impact of FTT may be severe, however, as the Bible teaches, while a physical affliction may be challenging for families to handle, focusing on emotional stability and support for each other is what is really important.

Resources for Families

For families dealing with children diagnosed with FTT, the availability of resources, including research literature is imperative. The KidsHealth resource on the condition offers a comprehensive look at the description, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

The Pediatrics in Review article by Gahagan is also relevant to read because it sheds light on the implications of undernutrition. The material is easy to understand and includes simple information that parents can use to their advantage.

The Mighty article on how to help kids with FTT diagnosis is one of the best resources to reach because it is based on the author’s personal experiences. The author’s daughter was diagnosed with the condition when she was only 8 months old.

The US News article by Miller is also an excellent resource because of its in-depth look at the issue, with testimonies given by real people who have had some experience dealing with the problem.

The resource offers information on intensive feeding programs available in the state of Alabama. Gaining access to available support systems is imperative for parents who are dealing with malnourished children with FTT.

The website provides comprehensive information on available therapies and support programs for children with a vast array of disabilities. Importantly, the Pediatric Feeding Therapy program was designed for children with a variety of nutrition-associated complications and could be of benefit for FTT individuals.

References

Cole, S., & Lanham, J. (2011). Failure to thrive: An update. American Family Physician, 83(7), 829-834.

Failure to thrive. (n.d.). Web.

Glass, H. C., Costarino, A. T., Stayer, S. A., Brett, C. M., Cladis, F., & Davis, P. J. (2016). Outcomes for extremely premature infants. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 120(6), 1337-1351.

Goh, L. H., How, C. H., & Ng, K. H. (2016). Failure to thrive in babies and toddlers. Singapore Medical Journal, 57(6), 287-291.

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Failure to Thrive: The Inability of a Child to Grow

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