Failure to Thrive: Causes, Symptoms & Medical Conditions

Organic causes

Organic causes are medical conditions that can lead to failure to thrive. Some of the most common organic causes include:

* Gastrointestinal problems: These can include conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and food allergies.

* Infections: Chronic infections, such as tuberculosis and HIV, can lead to failure to thrive.

* Heart problems: Congenital heart defects and other heart problems can cause failure to thrive.

* Lung problems: Chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and asthma, can lead to failure to thrive.

* Kidney problems: Kidney failure and other kidney problems can cause failure to thrive.

* Liver problems: Liver failure and other liver problems can lead to failure to thrive.

* Endocrine problems: Thyroid problems, growth hormone deficiency, and other endocrine problems can cause failure to thrive.

* Neurological problems: Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other neurological problems can lead to failure to thrive.

* Metabolic disorders: Inborn errors of metabolism, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), can cause failure to thrive.

* Genetic syndromes: Some genetic syndromes, such as Down syndrome, can lead to failure to thrive.

Non-organic causes

Non-organic causes are factors related to the child's environment or social circumstances that can lead to failure to thrive. Some of the most common non-organic causes include:

* Poverty: Children who live in poverty are more likely to experience failure to thrive.

* Food insecurity: Children who do not have access to enough food are more likely to experience failure to thrive.

* Neglect: Children who are neglected by their parents or caregivers are more likely to experience failure to thrive.

* Abuse: Children who are abused are more likely to experience failure to thrive.

* Mental illness: Parents who have mental illness are more likely to have children who experience failure to thrive.

* Substance abuse: Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol are more likely to have children who experience failure to thrive.

* Lack of knowledge: Parents who do not know how to properly feed and care for their children are more likely to have children who experience failure to thrive.