Failure to Thrive
What is the definition of failure to thrive? Is it an appropriate diagnosis for children with CdLS?
Failure to thrive occurs in infants and children when the physical growth, especially weight gain, is less than peers (usually below 3rd to 5th percentile on growth charts or when there’s been a downward change of the percentile on the growth charts). Since individuals with CdLS are known to be small in all parameters, I have never thought that Failure to Thrive (FTT) was an appropriate term. If a child with CdLS would start to fall off his or her CdLS growth percentiles, then he or she could have FTT within the context of CdLS. Reflux and poor feeding could be a cause.
TK 7-13-10
Legal Disclaimer: Please take note that the CdLS Foundation’s Ask the Expert service is comprised of volunteer professionals in various areas of focus. Response times may vary and a response is not guaranteed. Answers are not considered a medical, behavioral, or educational consultation. Ask the Expert is not a substitute for the care and attention your child’s personal physician, psychologist, educational consultant, or social worker can deliver.