Failure to thrive work-up: what should you know?

The clinician reviews earlier weights and heights, birth history, appetite, meals, milk or formula preparation, swallowing, vomiting, bowel changes, sleep, activity, and development. They may examine hydration, nutrition, breathing, the abdomen, and other signs of illness. Tests are chosen from the findings rather than automatically ordered for every child.

Prepare a short food and drink record, medication list, and details of allergies or dietary restrictions. Bring growth records and describe a usual meal from start to finish, including distractions, duration, coughing, gagging, or tiredness. A child health consultation can help organise the history and agree on follow-up.

Seek prompt review when a child is losing weight, refusing most feeds, or showing reduced alertness or energy. Get urgent help for breathing problems, blue or grey lips, repeated vomiting, blood in vomit or stool, severe dehydration, or inability to swallow or retain fluids.

Ask what the growth pattern indicates, which causes are being considered, whether testing is needed, how to increase nutrition safely, and what follow-up findings would change the plan.