CHILDREN LIVING WITH FALTERING GROWTH
Every child is different, and each child grows at their own rate, with some children being taller or shorter and some being heavier or lighter. However, changes in weight and height typically follow a regular pattern.1 Growth in children is often measured using height and weight charts to check if they are following the expected rate of growth.2 If your child is not growing as expected compared with other children of the same sex and age, then they are likely to be experiencing faltering growth.2
This page provides more information on faltering growth in children and the role nutrition can play in helping them catch up on their growth.
Faltering growth is when a child doesn’t grow in line with what is expected for their gender and age.2 This is usually due to inadequate nutritional intake, or an underlying health condition.3
When a child doesn’t get the right nutrition, they may become at risk of malnutrition, which can mean they are either undernourished (not getting enough nutrients) or overnourished (getting more nutrients than they need).4
There are many reasons why your child might not be getting the nutrition they need to be able to grow as expected, including:4-6
Underlying health
conditions or diseases
Not having much
of an appetite
Behavioural or
psychological conditions
Problems with their digestive
system which means their
body can’t absorb
the nutrients they need
Taking medicines or
receiving treatment
Having an illness or
injury which means their
bodies use up more
calories than normal
Nutrition plays an important role in children’s growth, ensuring that they stay healthy, and live their lives to their full potential.7
Getting the right nutrients, such as energy, protein, vitamins and calcium, is not only important to ensure they grow well, but it can also support:7-12
A healthy immune system
Cognitive function (which can include brain functions such as memory, language and attention span)
Their ability to play and engage in other activities
Bone and teeth development
Energy levels
Overall health
If your child is not gaining weight or growing as they should, and they are also showing symptoms of over or undernutrition, it is important to speak to their healthcare professional (e.g. GP or nurse) who can examine your child and speak to you about their general health.13
Some of the things to look out for include:4
Not growing or putting on weight at the expected rate (sometimes known as faltering growth)
Changes in their behaviour, such as being irritable, moving slowly or becoming anxious
Having low energy or feeling tired more easily than normal
If you are worried that your child isn’t growing as they should, or they have signs that they are over or under-nourished, speak to their healthcare professional. They can conduct a thorough assessment and provide guidance on changes to your child’s diet, or they may recommend nutritional supplements to help your child catch up on their growth.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT TO HELP YOUR CHILD CATCH UP ON THEIR GROWTH
In cases where weight loss or under or overnutrition means your child isn’t meeting their growth milestones, their healthcare professional may recommend nutritional supplements to take on top of what they usually eat.
These supplements can provide the calories, protein and other important vitamins and minerals that their body needs, even if they do not feel well enough to eat as much as they usually would.
References:
1. Paediatr Child Health 2004 Mar;9(3):177-90.
2. NICE, 2023. Faltering Growth: What is it? Available online: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/faltering-growth/background-information/definition/ Last accessed February 2024
3. NICE, 2017. Faltering growth: recognition and management of faltering growth. Available online: hwww.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng7 Last accessed March 2024.
4. NHS 2023. Malnutrition. Available online: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition Last accessed February 2024.
5. Westwood A S. Afr Med J 2015;105(7):606.
6. Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, 2022. Faltering Growth / Failure to Thrive. Available online: file:///C:/Users/Carly/Downloads/1074_Faltering_Growth_failure_to_thrive%20(3).pdf Last accessed February 2024.
7. World Health Organization 2009. Infant and young child feeding. Available online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148965/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK148965.pdf Last accessed February 2024.
8. Verduci E & Köglmeier J. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2021;73(3):293-298.
9. British Nutrition Foundation 2015. Children. Available online: https://www.nutrition.org.uk/life-stages/children/ Last accessed February 2024.
10. Nyaradi A et al. Front Hum Neurosci 2013;26:7:97.
11. Harvey P. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 2019;21(3):227.
12. RCN, 2010: Nutrition in children and young people with cancer. Available online at https://media.gosh.nhs.uk/documents/nutrition_in_children_andg_people_with_cancer.pdf. Last accesses July 2023.
13. NICE 2023, How should I assess an infant or child with faltering growth after the early days of life? Available online: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/faltering-growth/diagnosis/assessing-faltering-growth-after-the-early-days-of-life/.
This website has been developed taking into account feedback from patients, facilitated by the Patients Association.
SESSION TIMEOUT
You have now gained access to ProConnect for a limited time. We will now verify your details before your account becomes fully active.
You are now able to freely access all resources and education during this visit to the ProConnect website. An email will be sent to you within 2 working days to activate your account which will complete your registration process.
Added to Bag
ENSURE PLUS
1 x 220 ml
Flavor: Apple
1,5 kcal / ml
Nutrition Information
| Unit | Per {ml-col-1} ml | Per {ml-col-2} ml |
| Unit | Per {ml-col-1} ml | Per {ml-col-2} ml |
| Unit | Per {ml-col-1} ml | Per {ml-col-2} ml |
footnotes
Product details not available.
You are about to exit for another Abbott country or region specific website.
Please be aware that the website you have requested is intended for the residents of a particular country or region, as noted on that site. As a result, the site may contain information on pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other products or uses of those products that are not approved in other countries or regions.
The website you have requested also may not be optimised for your specific screen size.
Do you wish to continue and exit this website?
UK-N/A-2200465 | July 2022
This website is for UK HCPs and UK Patients only. If you are outside of the UK please visit our global website Abbott.com
If you choose "I am a patient/carer”, you will be entering a website intended for patients and carers which has information on Abbott products. Products on this website are to be used under medical supervision. If you have questions about the product information discussed on this website, you should consult with your healthcare professional.
Stay Connected