What should you know about failure to thrive investigations?

The clinician first confirms the growth pattern by reviewing earlier weights and lengths or heights, measurement technique, birth history and development. Questions cover milk or food intake, feeding behaviour, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, pain, urine output and medicines. Examination may look for dehydration, breathing changes, abdominal findings or signs of an underlying condition. Blood, urine or stool tests are not automatic; they are selected when history or examination points toward a specific possibility.

Bring growth records, vaccination and discharge information, a list of medicines, and a few days of food and fluid notes. Include approximate portions, feeding times, vomiting, stools and wet nappies. If feeding is the concern, ask whether an observed feed would help. Keep the child’s usual routine unless the clinician advises otherwise. Results may lead to nutrition support, treatment of a medical problem, repeat measurements or referral to another professional.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, marked drowsiness, unresponsiveness, repeated vomiting, green vomit, blood in vomit or stool, inability to keep fluids down, or clear dehydration. Contact the care team promptly if the child’s intake suddenly falls or activity changes substantially. A planned investigation is not a reason to wait when new or worsening symptoms appear.

Ask what the growth record shows, which causes are being considered, why each proposed test is useful, and when results are expected. Ask what the next step will be if tests are reassuring, and which symptoms should prompt earlier review.