Faltering growth
Essential facts
Faltering growth, previously called failure to thrive, refers to a slower rate of weight gain in childhood than expected for age and sex. While newborn babies normally lose weight in the first days of life, persisting or large weight losses can cause concern.
The reasons for faltering growth in babies and older children can be complex.
What’s new
Guidance to help healthcare professionals recognise, assess and monitor faltering growth in infants and children is being developed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The document has been consulted on and is due to be published in October.
Signs and symptoms
Children with faltering growth may be identified by routine growth monitoring, or by parental or health professional concern. A child’s weight, length or height and head circumference should be plotted on
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