What’s growth failure?

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Failure to thrive is a condition known to affect the appropriate mechanisms within the body of an adolescent or adolescent during puberty and beyond, which results in short stature and delayed development of secondary sex characteristics. Because there are often several factors that contribute to failure to thrive, many treatments involve examining all aspects of an individual’s health to ensure adequate growth. If the condition is not treated early, such as before onset of adulthood or earlier, the symptoms of short stature and delayed development are often permanent. Improving nutrition, psychological factors and other lifestyle habits can go a long way towards improving the symptoms of failure to thrive.

When a child has reached or passed the age of puberty and exhibits characteristics of being in a low percentile for his height and weight for his age, then it is often wise to consult a doctor regarding failure to thrive. Short stature, or being below the average height and weight for the child’s age, is the most common symptom seen by most parents who have children with slow growth syndrome. Lack of development of any secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair or deepening of the voice, is another sign of growth failure. It is wise to seek the help of a doctor who specializes in early growth problems before the possibility of delayed growth becomes permanent.

To maximize a child’s growth potential, a doctor might recommend that a child see a registered dietician or nutritionist who will help structure an eating plan with the proper nutrients needed for growth. Including enough vitamins from fresh vegetables and calcium from fresh dairy products or other sources, along with adequate fat and protein intake, are critical for proper growth. A high-strength multivitamin may also be prescribed to children experiencing growth issues to ensure adequate nutrient intake each day. Improving the quality of sleep for your baby, as well as increasing physical activity while maintaining enough calories to keep the body fueled, are important in increasing natural human growth hormone.

Psychological factors such as emotional deprivation or parental or family withdrawal have also been implicated in growth failure in children. Improving these dynamics by using counseling, or in more serious cases by removing the child from the environment, can go a long way towards influencing proper development and good health. Human growth hormone injections may also be prescribed, however the pros and cons of this method should be considered and weighed by the parent or carer. Chronic infections can also lead to slower growth in children, so improving the immune system and its function may also be important to consider to promote proper growth.

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