Failure to thrive (FTT) indicates insufficient weight gain or inappropriate weight loss in pediatric patients unless the term is more precisely defined. In children, it is usually defined in terms of weight and can be evaluated either by low weight for the child’s age or by a low rate of increase in the weight. Failure to thrive is not a disease, but a sign of inadequate nutrition. Having nutrition a vital role in playing body development, Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System appeals to our valuable readers to get well acquainted with failure to thrive for well-being.
Failure to thrive Definition
The word ‘thrive’ is defined by New Webster’s Dictionary as to grow and function well to have good health. Dr. Henry Dwight Chapin of New York was a pioneer in alerting pediatricians to failure of growth and development associated with poverty and with contemporary institutional care of infants and young children.
Failure to thrive Symptoms
Insufficient nutritional intake
FTT occurs in children whose nutritional intake is insufficient for supporting normal growth and weight gain. Failure to thrive typically presents before two years of age when growth rates are highest.
Picky eating habits
Parents may express concern about picky eating habits, poor weight gain, or smaller size compared relative to peers of similar age. Physicians often identify failure to thrive during routine office visits, when a child’s growth parameters are not tracking appropriately on growth curves.
Scaling skin, spoon-shaped nails, cheilosis
Physicians look for many signs on physical exam that can indicate a potential cause of FTT. For example, findings such as scaling skin, spoon-shaped nails, cheilosis, and neuropathy may indicate potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has also been associated with FTT and can present with characteristic findings including microcephaly, short palpebral fissures, a smooth philtrum, and a thin vermillion border.
Wasting
Malabsorption, due to disorders like Crohn’s disease and cystic fibrosis, can present with abdominal distention and hyperactive bowel sounds. It is also important to differentiate stunting from wasting, as they can indicate different causes of FTT. “Wasting” refers to a deceleration in stature more than 2 standard deviations from median weight-for-height, whereas “stunting” is a drop of more than 2 standard deviations from the median height-for-age.
Proportional drop in weight
The characteristic pattern seen with children with inadequate nutritional intake is an initial deceleration in weight gain, followed several weeks to months later by a deceleration in stature, and finally a deceleration in head circumference. A decrease in length with a proportional drop in weight can be related to long-standing nutritional factors as well as genetic or endocrine causes.
Head circumference, as well, can be an indicator for the etiology of FTT. Some of these include intrauterine infection, teratogens, and some congenital syndromes.
Failure to thrive Causes
The causes include three categories:
- Inadequate caloric intake,
- Malabsorption/caloric retention defect, and
- Increased metabolic demands.
Initial investigation should consider prenatal history, postnatal history, past medical history, feeding history to assess overall caloric intake, developmental history, family history, and psychosocial history.
Inadequate caloric intake
- Poverty/inadequate food supply – the number one risk factor for failure to thrive globally
- Improper mixing of formula
- Postpartum depression/maternal depression – studies have shown that mothers with postpartum depression are at increased risk of experiencing breastfeeding difficulties
- Child neglect – the prevalence of neglect in non-organic failure to thrive is estimated to be as high as 5–10%
- Cleft lip and cleft palate – impaired oral motor coordination/poor suck
- Cerebral palsy/hypotonia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease – symptoms of irritability, fussiness, and spitting up that occur shortly after feeding. Typically resolves by 1–2 years of age.
- Malrotation
- Pyloric stenosis – Most commonly presents at 1–2 months of age with forceful, projectile vomiting immediately after feeds. More common in first-born males,
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
Malabsorption/caloric retention defect
- Lactose intolerance/cow’s milk protein allergy – affects 2–3% of infants during the first year of life
- Coeliac disease
- Short bowel syndrome – necrotizing enterocolitis is the most common cause.
- Cystic fibrosis
- Biliary atresia
Increased metabolic demand
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic infections – tuberculosis, HIV
- TORCH infections – toxoplasmosis, other (syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19), rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Congenital heart defects
- Chronic lung disease – bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchiectasis
- Inborn errors of metabolism – galactosemia, glycogen storage diseases
Failure to thrive Diagnosis
FTT may be evaluated through a multifaceted process, beginning with a patient history that notably includes diet history, which is a key element for identifying potential causes of FTT.
The complete physical examination could include looking for dysmorphic features, abnormal breathing sounds, and signs of specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The physical exam may also reveal signs of possible child neglect or abuse.
Initial bloodwork should be based on the clinical picture of the child. Common bloodwork should include a CBC with differential, a complete metabolic panel to look for electrolyte derangements, a thyroid function test, and a urinalysis. If indicated, anti-TTG IgA antibodies can be used to assess for Celiac’s disease, and a sweat chloride test is used to screen for cystic fibrosis.
Failure to thrive Treatment
Infants and children who have had unpleasant eating experiences e.g. acid reflux or food intolerance may be reluctant to eat their meals. Additionally, force-feeding an infant or child can discourage proper self-feeding practices and in-turn cause undue stress on both the child and their parents.
Also, making mealtimes a positive, enjoyable experience through the use of positive reinforcement may improve eating habits in children who present with FTT.
If an underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, is identified as the cause of the child’s failure to thrive then treatment is directed towards the underlying condition.
The most serious and common electrolyte abnormality is hypophosphatemia, although sodium abnormalities are common as well. It can also cause changes in glucose, protein, and fat metabolism. The incidence of refeeding syndrome is high, with one prospective cohort study showing 34% of ICU experienced hypophosphatemia soon after feeding was restarted.
Failure to thrive Prognosis
Children with failure to thrive are at an increased risk for long-term growth, cognitive, and behavioral complications.
Studies have shown that children with failure to thrive during infancy were shorter and lower weight at school-age than their peers. Failure to thrive may also result in children not achieving their growth potential, as estimated by mid-parental height.
Longitudinal studies have also demonstrated lower IQs (3–5 points) and poorer arithmetic performance in children with a history of failure to thrive, compared to peers receiving adequate nutrition as infants and toddlers Early intervention and restoration of adequate nutrition have been shown to reduce the likelihood of long-term sequelae, however, studies have shown that failure to thrive may cause persistent behavioral problems, despite appropriate treatment.
Failure to thrive Risk factors
Failure to thrive (FTT) is the term widely used to describe poor weight gain in infancy, a condition associated with a cognitive deficiency in later childhood. In the present population study, we compared risk factors for FTT in a general infant population using different definitions of FTT.
Sociodemographic data and prospectively collected information concerning the physical and mental development of the children were obtained from National registries and standardized public health nurse records. The three criteria for FTT identified children with very different profiles and a prevalence of FTT ranging from around 2% to 21% in this affluent population. The criterion of slow weight gain conditional on birthweight (conditional weight gain) was associated with lower birthweight, small-for-gestational-age, and deviant overall development. Adding a low body mass index did not change this profile.
- Slow conditional weight gain
- Additional thinness
- Prenatal growth retardation and early developmental delays
In contrast, a simple downward crossing of centiles seemed mainly to identify healthy low-risk infants, and thus, seems a poor screening measure of FTT in this affluent infant population. Thus, conditional weight gain appears to be the most sensible measure of FTT at present. However, only longitudinal studies including different anthropometric measures and different outcomes can unravel the discriminating power of the different FTT definitions concerning long-term prognosis.
How to manage Failure to thrive
FTT has serious implications, especially for brain development. If malnutrition becomes severe and chronic during the first year of life, the child’s neurologic development may be permanently affected, making early recognition and prompt intervention critical.
A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for management, with the involvement of a pediatric gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, a social worker, an occupational therapist, a speech and physical therapist, a psychologist, and behavioral and developmental specialists.
The goals of management of FTT are the following:
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Provision of adequate calories, protein, and other nutrients
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Nutritional counseling to the family
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Monitoring of growth and nutritional status
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Specific treatment of complications or deficiencies
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Long term monitoring and follow up
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Education of the family on social land nurturing techniques
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Supportive economic assistance
However, caloric supplementation is the major contributor to the management of FTT.
How to manage Failure to thrive with Siddha remedies
1. Siddha preventive measures
Everybody must practice Siddha preventive measures, whether a person is affected with failure to thrive or not, but preventive measures are the primary steps for switching on to any other Siddha remedies, and hence they are important. It helps in one’s capability, effectiveness, and productivity, decision making power, intellectuality, and removing minor health problems. There are three types of preventive measures:
- Earthing – performed for earthing the negativity of our body
- Field Cleaning – cleans the energy field (Aura) of our body
- Siddha Brain Exercise/Energizing – energizes our brain for proper functionality
Everybody’s tendency is to get attracted to the word ‘free‘, however, don’t neglect even these Siddha preventive measures are free. Avail of the benefits by practicing them sincerely, and regularly. For the ease of understanding what Siddha preventive measures are, please watch a video for a live demonstration.
2. Siddha Shaktidata Yog
This unique Siddha Shaktidata Yog of Siddha Spirituality can solve the problems related to failure to thrive with Siddha remedies. There is no compulsion of training of ‘Swami Hardas Life System’ methods. This not only gives benefits to self but also it can be used for other affected persons, whether a person is in the same house, distantly available in the same city, same nation, or might be in any corner of the world, however, both the procedures have been explained here.
3. Siddha Kalyan Sadhana
Recite this Sadhana with a Sankalp “My problems of the failure to thrives are solved as early as possible and I should gain health”, which should be repeated in mind 3 – 3 times every after each stanza. Any person irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith, sex, and age can recite this Sadhana for free, which should be repeated at least twice a day. To know more, please click on this link.
4. CCPE products
These products work on the concepts of ‘Conceptual Creative Positive Energy’ (CCPE) within the provisions of the ‘CCPE Life System’ and the theory of Quantum Technology to a certain extent. However, the products get activated only whenever touched by a human and then they become capable of solving the problem and achieving health. However, please use these products for failure to thrive as mentioned below:
CCPE Extractor: The CCPE Extractor should be gently moved over the Agya Chakra in a circular motion at least for 30 to 60 seconds, thereafter, follow the same process on the head, and stomach for another 30 to 60 seconds, which finishes within almost 3 – 6 minutes.
CCPE Booster: Keep one Booster over the Agya Chakra and another one each over the head, and stomach for 3 minutes. You may need to have 3 Boosters, which establishes positivity.
5. A daily routine
In general, a daily routine may look like this:
- Increase physical activities e.g. exercise, walking, swimming
- Consume Sattvik diet
- Perform breathing exercises regularly
- Apply free Siddha remedies a minimum 3 times a day, as explained above
- Perform Swayamsiddha Agnihotra daily, if feasible
- In case, if someone wishes to learn advanced methods of Swami Hardas Life System, undergo unique training
Ensure to sprinkle in some fun during the day: Don’t forget to relax and laugh in between. Laughing is a great way to boost your immune system and help you.
Just try the methods of Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System. I am confident that you will surely find improvements within 15 days.
Training of Swami Hardas Life System
Any problem with regard to health, peace, and progress can be solved independently without money and medicines by undergoing training of Swami Hardas Life System. Any person irrespective of religion, caste, creed, faith, sex, and age can undergo this unique training.
Conclusion
In view of the above, I am confident that you have learned about a failure to thrive symptoms, causes, diagnosis, management, treatments, and Siddha remedies. Now, you have become self-sufficient, hence it’s the right time to use your acquired knowledge for solving problems as per the provision available in Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System.
However, keep learning and practicing the free Siddha remedies, which would help guide how to solve various problems regarding health, peace, and progress, without money and medicines.
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DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the concerned site owners. Siddha Spirituality For Health is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. However, it is advisable to consult a specialist in the concerned field before availing of the benefits. Hence we do not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Reference:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failure_to_thrive
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5532051/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17697072/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195791/#:~:text=Most%20cases%20of%20failure%20to,eating%20habits%20and%20caloric%20intake.