Low weight gain, also commonly referred to as "failure to thrive" or "delayed growth" refers to a pattern of poor or slow weight gain in children. Children diagnosed with this condition differ from genetically thin children who inherited their mother or father's slim genes---this is normal and healthy. In contrast, low weight gain might have serious causes, such as dietary, health or emotional problems, which require treatment so that your child can grow and develop properly.
Causes
MedlinePlus identifies a number of factors that can cause failure to thrive in children and teens. Among these factors are chromosome abnormalities, defects in organ systems, anemia, gastrointestinal problems or disorders, cerebral palsy, emotional problems, exposure to toxins or parasites, poor eating habits and economic problems that affect a child's nutrition and living conditions.
Detection
Doctors typically collect a child's weight, height and head circumference each year at the child's well-child appointment. If your child falls off her regular growth curve or if her measurements fail to match those of her peers--especially if her weight falls lower than the third percentile on a standard growth chart--she might have failure to thrive. Medline Plus notes that the rate of change in weight and height instead of the actual measurements is often the most important criteria in making this diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct a thorough exam of your child, including a screening of her nutrition habits, living conditions and emotional well-being to determine the cause of her low weight gain. He might also administer lab tests, including a complete blood count, electrolyte balance, urinalysis, x-rays to determine bone age and hormone studies to help him diagnose the reason behind your child's failure to thrive.
Solution
The treatment for your child's low weight gain will depend largely upon the factors causing it. If your child simply needs more calories, you can help boost his nutritional intake by offering him extra, nutrient-rich calories during the day. Elena Serrano, Extension Specialist, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, recommends offering your child calorie-dense nutritional combinations including macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, crackers with hummus and fruit smoothies made with yogurt. Avoid pressuring him to eat, but do offer him plentiful meals and snacks throughout the day.
Warning
Ignoring your child's low weight gain and failing to correct the underlying causes can lead to long-term negative effects on your child's mental development, according to the Kids Health from Nemours website. After an extended period of low weight gain, undernourished children might avoid eye contact, become disinterested in their surroundings and fail to meet developmental milestones like walking or talking. Failure to thrive can also lead to learning problems in school. MedlinePlus provides reassurance that in most cases normal growth and development will resume once the doctor identifies and treats the underlying causes of a child's low weight gain.
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