Below is a news release on a clinical report appearing in the November issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: November 7, 2005, 12:01 am (ET)

CHICAGO - Failure to thrive is a common problem in infancy and childhood. It is most often caused by inadequate nutrition and disturbed social interactions, which contribute to poor weight gain, delayed development and abnormal behavior. A significant number of children develop the syndrome as a consequence of child neglect.

A new AAP clinical report for pediatricians serves as a guide to help assess, manage and support children who are failing to thrive as a result of neglect. "Failure to Thrive as a Manifestation of Child Neglect," defines failure to thrive (FTT) as a significantly prolonged cessation of appropriate weight gain compared with recognized norms for age and gender after having achieved a stable pattern. The fundamental cause of FTT is nutritional deficiency. Poverty is the greatest single
risk factor for FTT worldwide and in the United States. FTT can be unintentional, occurring with breastfeeding difficulties,
errors in formula preparation, poor diet selection or improper feeding technique. Such diseases as cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, HIV infection or AIDS, as well as several other chronic conditions can also cause FTT.

When FTT is caused by child neglect, certain risk factors are often present and should be considered by the pediatrician examining the child. The parent(s) of an infant with FTT may exhibit inadequate interactional social behavior. The parent may be a teen or have a history of a child abuse as a child. Family and social factors that may contribute to neglect include the lack of available extended family to help with child rearing, social isolation of the family, substance abuse, family violence, single parenthood and employment instability.

Strong indicators of FTT outlined in the report include:

• Intentional withholding of food from the child;
• Strong beliefs in health and/or nutrition regimens that jeopardize a
  child's well-being; and/or
• Family that is resistant to recommended interventions.

Pediatricians are strongly encouraged to report cases of FTT that they suspect might be due to neglect to the appropriate child protective services agency.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.