Understanding Faltering Growth
This is when a child's growth falls across centiles. The most common cause for this can be not having enough calories in their diet. Sometimes it can be a result of nutrients not being absorbed in the gut because of underlying conditions.
Growth Across Centiles
Faltering growth occurs when a child's growth falls across centiles, indicating a deviation from their expected growth pattern.
Insufficient Calories
The most common cause is not having enough calories in their diet, which can affect growth and development.
Nutrient Absorption
Sometimes it can be a result of nutrients not being absorbed in the gut because of underlying conditions.
Growth Across Centiles
Deviation from expected pattern
Insufficient Calories
Dietary cause
Common Causes
Understanding the various causes of faltering growth helps guide appropriate treatment and management strategies.
Growth Across Centiles
Deviation from expected growth pattern.
Inadequate Calories
Most common cause
Malabsorption
Nutrient absorption issues
Medical Conditions
Underlying diseases
Signs and Symptoms
Recognizing the signs of faltering growth helps determine when medical evaluation is needed.
Poor Weight Gain
Inadequate weight gain or failure to gain weight at expected rates.
Slow Height Growth
Height growth that falls below expected centiles for age.
Poor Appetite
Reduced interest in food or decreased hunger.
Fatigue
Persistent tiredness and lack of energy.
Developmental Delays
Delayed milestones or slower development than peers.
Poor Feeding
Difficulty with feeding, swallowing, or eating.
Treatment Approaches
Medical causes of slow growth are numerous and so the treatment can vary widely.
Nutritional Support
Dietary modifications, supplements, and feeding strategies to increase caloric intake.
Medical Treatment
Addressing underlying medical conditions that affect growth and development.
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular growth tracking and assessment to ensure treatment effectiveness.
When to Seek Help for Faltering Growth
Faltering growth requires early investigation. Seek specialist evaluation if:
- ✓Your child's weight drops across two or more centile lines on a growth chart
- ✓Weight falls consistently below the 2nd or 3rd centile
- ✓Weight-for-height or BMI is significantly below normal
- ✓Your child has poor appetite despite adequate food being offered
- ✓There is associated vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation
- ✓Your child tires easily or is unusually lethargic
- ✓There are concerns about feeding skills or food aversions
- ✓Previous investigations have not identified a cause
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
- →Detailed nutritional and feeding history
- →Review of growth charts from birth to present
- →Physical examination including assessment for underlying causes
- →Blood tests: FBC, thyroid function, coeliac screen, iron studies, vitamin D
- →Dietary assessment and caloric intake calculation
- →Multidisciplinary management involving dietitian, speech therapist if needed
- →Close growth monitoring with clear review milestones
Referral & Medicare: A current GP or paediatrician referral is required for Medicare rebates. Bring growth records and any previous test results.