Normal weight gain during childhood is one important indicator of health. Often called failure to thrive, slow weight gain and development affects approximately five out of every 100 infants and toddlers in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This results in short stature and reduced academic performance for up to eight years after diagnosis. If your child isn't gaining weight or developing properly, seek guidance from your doctor.
Criteria
The rate of change in body weight and height may be more significant than the actual measurements, according to Johns Hopkins Children's Center. In general, a weight that falls 20 percent below the ideal range, or lower than than the third percentile on standard growth charts, meets the criteria for failure to thrive. If your child's weight increase rate is increasing toward a more normal range, it's often a positive sign.
Causes
A variety of factors may contribute to reduced weight gain in children. If low body weight and delayed development run in your family, heredity is likely involved. Congenital defects, or abnormalities in the structure of the heart, diseases, such as those that affect the kidney, heart, lungs or digestive tract, certain medications, a poor diet and hormonal problems may also delay growth. Hormones involved with weight and development include thyroxine, cortisol and growth hormone. Stressful situations, anxiety, depression emotional deprivation may also contribute.
Symptoms
In addition to insufficient weight gain, failure to thrive causes other symptoms. Small children may not sit, stand, walk or roll over at an expected age. Mental and social skills, such as the ability to focus and interact well with others, may also suffer. Adolescents may experience delayed puberty. Determining whether developmental delays derive from medical or environmental causes, such as abuse or neglect, is important, according to Johns Hopkins. Symptoms of abuse may include bruises, frequent injuries and emotional withdrawal. Digestive conditions, such as celiac disease and lactose intolerance, may cause abdominal pain, gas, bloating, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation. An over-active thyroid gland may cause anxiety, bulging eyes and difficulty sleeping.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis and treatment for delayed weight gain varies, depending upon the cause. An examination by your physician is a common first step. Growth delays caused by nutritional factors can be resolved by learning how to provide a well-balanced diet. Infections, hormone imbalances and other illnesses may require temporary or long-term use of medications. Psychological factors typically require guidance from a psychologist. Conditions that affect behaviors and learning capabilities may also require counseling and tutoring once your child is of school age. If growth failure has been relatively short-lived and the cause is determined and correctable, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, normal weight gain and development will resume.
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