The social work discipline in the management of Failure to thrive in infants and children: an integrated behavioral health approach to pediatric programming

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a DSM-5/ICD-10 diagnosis which describes infants and children who fail to grow within expected norms. The causes for poor growth are multifactorial and often include psychosocial factors. Social workers are important players in an interdisciplinary team approach to this diagnosis. This research and manuscript focus on the use of an integrated infant mental health pediatric model of practice, and outcomes for one case study. The article will review the social worker's role in the treatment of FTT, effective social work services provided in an integrated behavioral health approach, and a review of a cost-benefit analysis of treatment of FTT in a Primary Care Facility verses a hospital setting.

Pediatric growth faltering: Evaluation and management in primary care

ABSTRACT

Pediatric growth faltering (GF), previously known as failure to thrive and now also called pediatric malnutrition and weight faltering, is a common clinical finding in primary care. Most pediatric GF cases are caused by inadequate caloric intake, not organic disease states. Evaluation requires clinicians to obtain detailed nutritional, medical, psychosocial, and family histories; take accurate anthropometric measurements; and perform a careful physical examination. Evaluation findings should be analyzed to determine whether targeted diagnostic workup, specialty referral, or a trial of nutritional counseling is indicated. Management includes caregiver education about childhood nutrition and frequent monitoring of growth parameters. A multidisciplinary approach that includes nutritionist, developmental therapist, and other specialty team member involvement is desirable.

Biopsychosocial characteristics of children admitted with failure to thrive

AIMS

The aim of this study was to characterise and compare the biopsychosocial characteristics of children admitted with failure to thrive (FTT), subdivided into those with underlying medical complexities (categorised as organic FTT - OFTT) and those with none (categorised as non-organic FTT - NOFTT), with a focus on the medical, nutritional, feeding skills and psychosocial domains.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records was conducted in children admitted with FTT from January 2010 to December 2020. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 353 children were included, with the mean age of presentation 0.82 ± 2.05 years (OFTT 1.16 ± 2.50 years, NOFTT 0.49 ± 1.41 years, P = 0.002). Approximately, half of the children were classified as having OFTT. These children had lower birth weights, were more likely to have a history of intrauterine growth restriction and had longer hospital stays. The NOFTT group had significantly more abnormal feeding strategies identified in their caregivers, whereas the OFTT group had more delayed feeding skills and oral aversion. There was no significant difference in psychosocial domains, with both groups having a comparably high risk of abuse and neglect.

CONCLUSIONS

The classification of FTT as non-organic or organic based purely on psychosocial parameters did not reflect the complex nature of FTT within our local population. These groups had different medical variables, and caregiver feeding strategies. A multidisciplinary team approach is recommended for the assessment and intervention for children with FTT to address these domains and the complex interactions between them.

Growth Faltering and Failure to Thrive in Children

Growth faltering, previously known as failure to thrive, is a broad term describing children who do not reach their expected weight, length, or body mass index for age. Growth is assessed with standardized World Health Organization charts for children younger than two years and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts for children two years and older. Traditional criteria for growth faltering can be imprecise and difficult to track over time; therefore, use of anthropometric z scores are now recommended. These scores can be calculated with a single set of measurements to assess malnutrition severity. Inadequate caloric intake, the most common cause of growth faltering, is identified with a detailed feeding history and physical examination. Diagnostic testing is reserved for those who have severe malnutrition or symptoms concerning for high-risk conditions, or if initial treatment fails. In older children or those with comorbidities, it is important to screen for underlying eating disorders (e.g., avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia). Growth faltering can usually be managed by the primary care physician. If comorbid disease is identified, a multidisciplinary team (e.g., nutritionist, psychologist, pediatric subspecialists) may be beneficial. Failure to recognize and treat growth faltering in the first two years of life may result in decreased adult height and cognitive potential.

Assessment of Nutritional Status in the Diagnostic Evaluation of the Child with Growth Failure

Current clinical guidelines provide information about the diagnostic workup of children with growth failure. This mini-review focuses on the nutritional assessment, which has received relatively little attention in such guidelines. The past medical history, in particular a low birth size and early feeding problems, can provide information that can increase the likelihood of nutritional deficits or several genetic causes. The current medical history should include a dietary history and can thereby reveal a poorly planned or severely restricted diet, which can be associated with nutritional deficiencies. Children on a vegan diet should receive various nutritional supplements, but insufficient compliance has been reported in one-third of cases. While proper use of nutritional supplements in children consuming a vegan diet appears to be associated with normal growth and development, insufficient intake of supplements may impede growth and bone formation. Physical examination and analysis of height and weight over time can help differentiating between endocrine causes, gastrointestinal disorders, psychosocial problems, or underlying genetic conditions that prevent adequate nutritional intake. Laboratory screening should be part of the workup in every child with short stature, and further laboratory tests can be indicated if warranted by the dietary history, especially in children on a poorly planned vegan diet.

Transaminase Elevation in Nutritional Infantile Failure to Thrive

INTRODUCTION

Laboratory investigations pursued for infants with failure to thrive (FTT) often show mild transaminase elevations, the incidence and significance of which are unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective chart review included infants diagnosed with simple nutritional FTT at a single academic tertiary care system. Comparisons of diagnostic studies and outcomes between children with and without transaminase elevation were performed using chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

RESULTS

None of the infants with abnormal transaminases required additional follow-up or developed alternative diagnoses in the following year.

DISCUSSION

Transaminase elevation may be common in infants with FTT and may not warrant further investigation if the history indicates an isolated etiology of insufficient nutrition.

Child Developmental Delays and Disorders: Failure to Thrive

Failure to thrive (FTT), or faltering growth, describes a complex group of clinical scenarios that manifest as abnormalities of growth. A thorough history and physical examination typically reveal the diagnosis, so laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging often are unnecessary. Hospitalization rarely is needed. The differential diagnosis includes gastrointestinal, metabolic, endocrine, and genetic conditions; feeding difficulties; developmental and sensory issues; and family dynamics. Children with FTT are at risk of future growth and development problems. Family physicians play an important role in the care of children with growth issues, as they care for the entire family, offer a holistic perspective, and have a thorough knowledge of community resources. In recent years, the multifactorial nature of FTT has been recognized, as has the importance of the use of multidisciplinary teams in treatment. Counseling on enhanced nutrition and referral to occupational and speech therapy subspecialists when needed are well within the scope of family physician practice. Home visitation programs can make a significant difference for patients with FTT and their families. If needed, many children's hospitals offer multidisciplinary feeding teams. Children without significant medical comorbidities who are treated with enhanced nutrition have a good prognosis for returning to a healthy baseline.

Failure to Thrive in the Outpatient Clinic: A New Insight

Failure to thrive (FTT) is an abnormal growth pattern determined by inadequate nutrition. It is a common problem in children, representing 5% to 10% of patients seen in an outpatient setting. Many definitions have been proposed based on anthropometric deterioration; however, they show poor concordance. No single definition is sufficiently sensitive in identifying faltering growth whilst a combination of multiple criteria seems more accurate. In light of the recent redefinition of pediatric malnutrition as a disequilibrium between requirements and intakes of energy, and macro- and micronutrients, a wider conception of FTT as an unsatisfactory nutritional status related to poor growth and health is useful. Although the most severe problems of micronutrient malnutrition are found in developing countries, people of all regions of the world can be affected by micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs), a form of undernutrition with relevant effects on growth and health. Changes in diets and lifestyle, elimination diets, food insecurity, and food intake disorders create the conditions at risk of faltering growth and MNDs. This new insight integrates the "classical" anthropometric criteria for definition and treatment, in the aim of warranting both a regular increase in size and an overall adequate development and health status.

Emergency department management of patients with failure to thrive

Although failure to thrive (FTT) is a relatively common presentation in the emergency department, many emergency clinicians are unsure of how to properly work up a pediatric patient with this condition. Obtaining a thorough history and physical examination will likely reveal the cause of FTT. Although most laboratory testing has low diagnostic yield, they may be indicated in certain circumstances. Radiologic testing is normally not indicated unless the history or physical examination point to a specific etiology. This issue reviews the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of patients with FTT, with the goal of improving outcomes while minimizing unnecessary testing, decreasing cost, and expediting emergency department care.

The diagnosis "failure to thrive" and its impact on the care of hospitalized older adults: a matched case-control study

BACKGROUND

"Failure to thrive" and associated diagnoses are non-specific terms applied to older adults when there is lack of diagnostic clarity and imply an absence of medical acuity. We investigated the effect of such admission diagnoses on delivery of patient care in a cohort of older adults admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital.

METHODS

Retrospective matched cohort study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Vancouver, BC. Cases identified were adults aged ≥65 years admitted to acute medical wards with an admission diagnosis of "failure to thrive", "FTT", "failure to cope", or "FTC", between January 1, 2016 and November 1, 2017 (n = 60, median age 80 years). Age-matched controls met the same inclusion criteria with admission diagnoses other than those of interest (n = 60, median age 79 years).

RESULTS

The primary outcome was time to admission, measured from time points in the emergency room that spanned from triage to completion of admission orders. Secondary outcomes were concordance of admission and discharge diagnoses and length of stay in hospital. The total time from triage to admission for older adults admitted with FTT and associated diagnoses was 10 h 40 min, compared to 6 h 58 min for controls (p = .02). Concordance of admission and discharge diagnoses was only 12% for the "failure to thrive" cohort, and 95% for controls. Notably, 88% of the "failure to thrive" cohort had an acute medical diagnosis at the time of discharge. Patients in this cohort stayed 18.3 days in hospital compared to 10.2 days (p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with an admission diagnosis of FTT or other associated diagnoses had significant delays in care when presenting to the emergency room, despite often having acute medical conditions on presentation. The use of this non-specific label can lead to premature diagnostic closure and should be avoided in clinical practice.

Changes in Age at Diagnosis and Nutritional Course of Celiac Disease in the Last Two Decades

The frequency of celiac disease (CD) has increased along time, with relevant changes reported in geographical variations, clinical presentation and nutritional repercussions. In recent years, some celiac patients are presenting overweight/obesity, but it is unclear how frequent this is and to what extent undernutrition remains a concern. This is relevant because CD tends to be overlooked in overweight patients. With this in mind, we assessed age at diagnosis, clinical characteristics and nutritional status of 155 celiac patients diagnosed between 1994–2017 in four pediatric hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Since 2003, the number of patients diagnosed has increased (p < 0.0033), coinciding with antitransglutaminase and antiendomysial antibodies becoming available to public health systems. In 2000, 4.5% of patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis, suggesting that active search is not routinely applied. Gastrointestinal symptoms plus failure to thrive were significantly more frequent under 2 years (p = 0.0001). Nutritional status has improved at diagnosis and during follow up, but undernutrition remains more frequent in children <2 and <5 years (p < 0.002 and p < 0.0036, respectively). Overweight at diagnosis was reported in 2002 and obesity in 2010. After initiating treatment, since 2010, patients changing from undernourishment to overweight has sometimes been observed after only 6 months on a gluten-free diet.

Applying Methods for Postnatal Growth Assessment in the Clinical Setting: Evaluation in a Longitudinal Cohort of Very Preterm Infants

AIM

To analyze different methods to assess postnatal growth in a cohort of very premature infants (VPI) in a clinical setting and identify potential early markers of growth failure.

METHODS

Study of growth determinants in VPI (≤32 weeks) during hospital stay. Nutritional intakes and clinical evolution were recorded. Growth velocity (GV: g/kg/day), extrauterine growth restriction (%) (EUGR: weight < 10th centile, z-score < -1.28) and postnatal growth failure (PGF: fall in z-score > 1.34) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) were calculated. Associations between growth and clinical or nutritional variables were explored (linear and logistic regression).

RESULTS

Sample: 197 VPI. GV in IUGR patients was higher than in non-IUGRs (28 days of life and discharge). At 36 weeks PMA 66.0% of VPIs, including all but one of the IUGR patients, were EUGR. Prevalence of PGF at the same time was 67.4% (IUGR patients: 48.1%; non-IUGRs: 70.5% (p = 0.022)). Variables related to PGF at 36 weeks PMA were initial weight loss (%), need for oxygen and lower parenteral lipids in the first week.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of z-scores was better suited to identify postnatal growth faltering. PGF could be reduced by minimising initial weight loss and assuring adequate nutrition in patients at risk.

Novel DSP Spectrin 6 Region Variant Causes Neonatal Erythroderma, Failure to Thrive, Severe Herpes Simplex Infections and Brain Lesions

Desmoplakin (DSP) and Desmoglein 1 (DSG1) variants result in skin barrier defects leading to erythroderma, palmoplantar keratoderma and variable [AQ4] other features. Some DSG1 variant carriers present with SAM syndrome (Severe dermatitis, multiple Allergies, Metabolic wasting) and a SAM-like phenotype has been reported in 4 subjects with different heterozygous DSP variants. We report here a patient with a novel DSP spectrin region (SR) 6 variant c.1756C>T, p.(His586Tyr), novel features of brain lesions and severe recurrent mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections, with a favourable response to ustekinumab. Through a review of reported cases of heterozygous variants in DSP SR6 (n = 15) and homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in DSG1 (n = 12) and SAM-like phenotype, we highlight phenotypic variability. Woolly hair, nail abnormalities and cardiomyopathy characterize patients with DSP variants, while elevated immunoglobulin E and food allergies are frequent in patients with DSG1 variants. Clinicians should be aware of the diverse manifestations of desmosomopathies.

Defining Pediatric Failure to Thrive in the Developed World: Validation of a Semi-Objective Diagnosis Tool

There is no concordance between current diagnostic criteria for failure to thrive (FTT). We analyzed validity of the Semi-Objective Failure to Thrive (SOFTT) diagnosis tool, which uses a combination of subjective and objective components to make the diagnosis of FTT. The tool was used to diagnose FTT in 94 patients who met 1 of 7 accepted criteria for FTT. Concurrent and predictive validity were demonstrated using anthropometric z-scores and change in anthropometric z-scores, respectively. SOFTT results correlated with differences in anthropometric z-scores for length ( P = .011), weight, weight-for-length, body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness ( P < .0001) between those diagnosed as normal and those with FTT. At follow-up, children with FTT compared with children rated as normal had significantly higher change in weight ( P ≤ .001) and body mass index ( P = .026) z-scores. The SOFTT tool leads to the accurate diagnosis of FTT demonstrated by concurrent and predictive validity.

Assessing Nutritional Risk Among Infants and Toddlers in Primary Care Practice

Traditionally, nutritional risk has been defined by growth failure, with clinical intervention indicated when a child falls below the third to fifth percentile on growth charts. Although the velocity of linear growth and weight gain during the first years are unparalleled at any other time of life, this period is also unique for other reasons. Nutrition not only supports increased bone length, muscle mass, and tissue growth, but also continued development of several highly metabolic organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, the immune system, the cardiorespiratory system, the kidneys, and the central nervous system. Just as growth depends on consistent nutrients, so too does organ development, especially the brain. The undernourished child may exhibit compromised optimal development and future cognitive performance, irrespective of weight status. It is often challenging in early childhood to ensure that a child is receiving high-quality nutrition. Primary care clinicians are positioned to identify the child with potential nutritional risk and design an appropriate intervention that promotes optimal development. [Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(11):e465-e469.].

The Diagnostic Accuracy of In-Hospital Weight Gain for Differentiating Neglect From Other Failure to Thrive Etiologies

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association of in-hospital weight gain with failure to thrive (FTT) etiologies.

METHODS

With this retrospective cross-sectional study, we included children <2 years of age hospitalized for FTT between 2009 and 2012 at a tertiary care children's hospital. We excluded children with a gestational age <37 weeks, intrauterine growth restriction, acute illness, or preexisting complex chronic conditions. Average daily in-hospital weight gain was categorized as (1) below average or (2) average or greater for age. χ², Fisher's exact test, and 1-way analysis of variance tests were used to compare patient demographics, therapies, and FTT etiologies with categorical weight gain; multivariable logistic regression models tested for associations.

RESULTS

There were 331 children included. The primary etiologies of FTT were neglect (30.5%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (28.1%), child-centered feeding difficulties (22.4%), and organic pathology (19.0%). Average or greater weight gain for age had a specificity of 22.2% and positive predictive value of 33.9% for differentiating neglect from other FTT etiologies. However, sensitivity and negative predictive value were 91.1% and 85.0%, respectively. After adjusting for demographics and therapies received, neglect (P = .02) and child-centered feeding difficulties (P = .01) were more likely to have average or greater weight gain for age compared with organic pathology. Children with GERD gained similarly (P = .11) to children with organic pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

In-hospital weight gain was nonspecific for differentiating neglect from other FTT etiologies. Clinicians should exercise caution when using weight gain alone to confirm neglect. Conversely, below average weight gain may be more useful in supporting GERD or organic pathologies but cannot fully rule out neglect.

Novel methionyl-tRNA synthetase gene variants/phenotypes in interstitial lung and liver disease: A case report and review of literature

Interstitial lung and liver disease (ILLD) is caused by biallelic mutations in the methionyl-tRNA synthetase (MARS) gene. To date, no genetic changes other than missense variants were reported in the literature. Here, we report a five-month old female infant with typical ILLD (failure to thrive, developmental delay, jaundice, diffuse interstitial lung disease, hepatomegaly with severe steatosis, anemia, and thrombocytosis) showing novel phenotypes such as kidney stones, acetabular dysplasia, prolonged fever, and extreme leukocytosis. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel truncating variant (c.2158C>T/p.Gln720Stop) together with a novel tri-nucleotide insertion (c.893_894insTCG that caused the insertion of an arginine at amino acid position 299) in the MARS gene.

[Standardised measuring the health of infants and toddlers in community health services]

Standardised measures are needed in the general child health surveillance. A standardised record with manualised guidelines have been created for use in the existing services of community health nurses, to collect epidemiological data and improve the quality of regional child health surveillance. The record has been used since 2000, and currently one third of the Danish child population is included. Research findings suggest targets of intervention towards risk trajectories of overweight, weight faltering, eating problems and neuro-developmental disorders.

Tread carefully: A functional variant in the human NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is not disease causing

In this study, we report a paediatric patient with a lethal phenotype of respiratory distress, failure to thrive, pancreatic insufficiency, liver dysfunction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, bone marrow suppression, humoral and cellular immune deficiency. To identify the genetic basis of this unusual clinical phenotype and potentially make available the option of future prenatal testing, whole exome sequencing (WES) was used followed by functional studies in a bid to confirm pathogenicity. The WES we identified a homozygous novel variant, AK298328; c.9_10insGAG; p.[Glu3dup], in NOX4 in the proband, and parental heterozygosity for the variant (confirmed by Sanger sequencing). NADPH Oxidase 4 NOX4 (OMIM 605261) encodes an enzyme that functions as the catalytic subunit of the NADPH oxidase complex. NOX4 acts as an oxygen sensor, catalysing the reduction of molecular oxygen, mainly to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). However, although, our functional data including 60% reduction in NOX4 protein levels and a 75% reduction in the production of H₂O₂ in patient fibroblast extracts compared to controls was initially considered to be the likely cause of the phenotype in our patient, the potential contribution of the NOX4 variant as the primary cause of the disease was clearly excluded based on following pieces of evidence. First, Sanger sequencing of other family members revealed that two of the grandparents were also homozygous for the NOX4 variant, one of who has fibromuscular dysplasia. Second, re-evaluation of more recent variant databases revealed a high allele frequency for this variant. Our case highlights the need to re-interrogate bioinformatics resources as they are constantly evolving, and is reminiscent of the short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD) story, where a functional defect in fatty acid oxidation has doubtful clinical ramifications.

Behavioral Outbursts in a Child with a Deletion Syndrome, Generalized Epilepsy, Global Developmental Delay, and Failure to Thrive

A 7-year-old girl with 20q13.33 deletion and a history of generalized convulsive epilepsy presented to the Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic due to concerns about her behavioral outbursts in the context of overall delayed development. Evaluation by the Developmental and Behavioral and Gastroenterology teams revealed failure to thrive (FTT) as the primary cause of the behavioral outbursts and developed a high-calorie, high-fat, high-protein nutritional counseling plan. Children who have FTT and a genetic disorder are often thought to not thrive because of their underlying genetic disorder; however, feeding skills and nutritional intake need to be thoroughly investigated before determining an etiology for FTT. Motoric, communicative, and developmental skills in children with genetic disorders may impede appropriate feeding mechanisms, inducing or exaggerating FTT in these children with developmental disabilities due to genetic etiologies. [Pediatr Ann. 2018;47(3):e130-e134.].

Clinical factors in prosthodontic treatment of children with genetic defects

BACKGROUND

Prosthodontic treatment of children with genetic disorders is an area that is rarely examined in the current specialist literature. Few prosthodontists will undertake treatment of such patients, who will more often be referred to an orthodontic specialist. After examining the 4 cases of children with genetic disorders described in this paper, it can be concluded that when a prosthodontist includes a few additional procedures in the treatment process, he or she can successfully help such patients.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to indicate the clinical difficulties faced by prosthodontists who undertake prosthodontic rehabilitation of children with genetic disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The paper is based on data collected during the prosthodontic treatment of 4 children, aged 5-12 years with genetic defects, and analysis of the body of work concerning these defects and their treatment.

RESULTS

Presentation of guidelines for the prosthodontic treatment process and creation of dentures for treated children based on extended procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

A prosthodontist is a crucial person in a team of specialists treating disorders within the face among children with a genetic predisposition. A basic knowledge of orthodontics and psychology facilitates the treatment. Prosthetic restoration in the treatment group does not always require complicated operations. Individualization of the tools for downloading orthodontic impressions, designing denture elements and an increased number of checkups are the additional procedures. For the clinician, the emotional aspect of the treatment is the main impediment. Maintaining a good relationship with a patient and his or her caregivers requires interpersonal skills.

Faltering growth

Essential facts Faltering growth, previously called failure to thrive, refers to a slower rate of weight gain in childhood than expected for age and sex. While newborns normally lose weight in the first days of life, persisting or large weight losses can cause concern.

Navajo Neurohepatopathy : A Case Report and Literature Review Emphasizing Clinicopathologic Diagnosis

Navajo Neurohepatopathy (NNH) is a rare hepatocerebral mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome (MDS) with nonspecific clinical or pathologic features aside from Navajo ancestry. Because of the rarity of NNH, diagnosis rests on close clinicopathologic correlation and appropriate tissue triage for quantitative mtDNA analysis. We present a new case of NNH in which the clinical presentation and H&E liver biopsy histology indicated the need for NNH workup. Quantitative analysis of mtDNA in liver tissue was significantly reduced, and mutational analysis of the MPV17 gene confirmed homozygosity for the NNH-associated missense mutation, R50Q. The patient is now one year post liver transplant and continues to have normal liver function tests but suffers multiple immunosuppression-associated co-morbidities. A comprehensive literature review is provided to assist in diagnosis and management of NNH. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2016, 79, 463-469).

Failure to Thrive: A Practical Guide

Children with very low weight for age or height and those who do not maintain an appropriate growth pattern may have failure to thrive (FTT), also known as weight faltering. If confirmed by repeated valid measurements, FTT should prompt a search for causes of undernutrition, including neglect, family food insecurity, and underlying medical conditions. Inadequate caloric intake is the most common cause of FTT, but inadequate nutrient absorption or increased metabolism is also possible. Difficulty attaining or maintaining appropriate weight is the first indication of FTT, and sustained undernutrition can impede appropriate height, head circumference, and the development of cognitive skills or immune function in extreme cases. Early identification and management of the issues causing undernutrition are critical. In most cases, an appropriate growth velocity can be established with outpatient management based on proper nutrition and family support. Primary care physicians can effectively treat most children with FTT, and subspecialist consultation or hospitalization is rarely indicated.

Failure to Thrive Hospitalizations and Risk Factors for Readmission to Children's Hospitals

OBJECTIVES

Risk factors for failure to thrive (FTT) readmissions, including medical complexity, have not been described. We sought to characterize children hospitalized for FTT and identify risk factors associated with FTT-specific readmissions during the current era of increasing medical complexity among hospitalized children.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used the Pediatric Health Information System database of 43 freestanding children's hospitals across the United States. The cohort included children <2 years of age with index hospitalizations for FTT between 2006 and 2010. The main outcome was FTT-specific readmission within 3 years. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we assessed the association of demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment characteristics with FTT-specific readmission.

RESULTS

There were 10 499 FTT hospitalizations, with 14.1% being readmitted for FTT within 3 years and 4.8% within 30 days. Median time to readmission was 66 days (interquartile range, 19-194 days). Nearly one-half of children (40.8%) had at least 1 complex chronic condition (CCC), with 16.4% having ≥2 CCCs. After multivariable modeling, increasing age at admission, median household income in the lowest quartile (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.44]), and prematurity-related CCC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.46 [95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.86]) remained significantly associated with readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly one-half of children hospitalized for FTT had a CCC, and a majority of FTT-specific readmissions occurred after the traditional 30-day window. Children with prematurity-related conditions and low median household income represent unique populations at risk for FTT readmissions.

Improving growth in preterm infants during initial hospital stay: principles into practice

Despite recent innovations in nutritional care, postnatal growth failure between birth and hospital discharge remains a significant problem in preterm infants. Whether or not it is entirely preventable is unclear. What is clear is that feeding practices and growth outcomes vary widely between neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This partly reflects lack of data in key areas but it also reflects inconsistent translation of principles into practice and limitations in the way infants are fed and growth monitored in the NICU. These issues will be reviewed, in the process underline the key roles that audit, standardised feeding protocol, individualised nutritional care and a nutritional support team play in improving outcome in these high-risk infants.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis Presenting as Anemia, Failure to Thrive, and Jaundice in a Toddler

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare disease characterized by the triad of hemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph, and anemia. Its diagnosis should be considered in any child presenting with moderate to severe anemia and failure to thrive of unclear etiology. Consideration of the differential diagnosis in such a child should include the review of both extravascular and intravascular causes of hemolysis. Systemic treatment of IPH with glucocorticoids has been shown to decrease morbidity, mortality, and disease progression to pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, diagnostic delays can impact prognosis. Here, we present a case of a 15-month-old boy with IPH who presented with anemia, jaundice, and failure to thrive, as well as a history of hemoptysis that was not initially elicited.

Recognition of Undiagnosed Neonatal Heart Disease

Heart defects are the most common congenital malformation. Approximately 8000 infants per year in the United States require diagnosis in the newborn period to avoid severe injury or death. It is incumbent on the neonatologist and pediatrician to expeditiously detect the presence of symptomatic heart disease so that infants can be stabilized before cardiovascular decompensation. Evaluating infants and further categorizing them into the particular pathophysiology are necessary to stabilize them in anticipation of more definitive care by the pediatric cardiac team.

Clinical Review of Failure to Thrive in Pediatric Patients

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a common problem that occurs when caloric intake is insufficient to maintain growth. For the majority of children it can be reversed with behavioral modifications and increased caloric provisions. In a minority of cases, FTT is the symptom of underlying organic disease. Routine evaluation with laboratory tests, imagining studies, and endoscopy results in an etiology of FTT in <1.4% of cases, and when investigations are positive the organic etiology is most often suspected based on history and/or physical examination. Therefore, these evaluations should be limited to those children with clear symptoms of organic disease and those who fail to grow with behavioral and nutritional interventions.

FOR EXTRAINTESTINAL MANIFESTATIONS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are systemic diseases with different intestinal and extra-intestinal manifestations (ElM). This fact can determin an examination plan and the disease course and prognosis. Up to 8.4% of children with IBD have ELM like the first symptom of the disease. The range of ElM of iBD in children is differ from that one of adult patients: rarer arthropathy and arthritis, skin and liver diseases, an extremely rare eye disease. The physical development disorder is a typical children's manifestation of the IBD, the "failure of the weight curve" is an early symptom of the IBD debut (82% of examined children), especially ulcerative colitis. The article discusses the clinical features and therapy of the most frequent extraintestinal manifestations of IBD in children: skin, mucous, eye diseases, axial and peripheral arthropathies, primary scierosing cholangitis, physical, sexual development disorders, decreased bone mineral density. Most often, we observed patients with arthritis and primary scierosing cholangitis - up to 12.5% of patients with active disease. A growth failure was observed in 20% of children with IBD debut, and remained in 9.7% children despite adequate anti-inflammatory therapy. Decreased bone mineral density in children with IBD observed in 30% cases (ISCD-recommendations). Extraintestinal manifestations are very important to make the early diagnosis of IBD without any intestinal symptoms. The pediatrician can suspect a systemic diseases course. ElMs adversely impact upon patientsquality of life and some can be life-threatening.

Failure to Rescue: The Nurse's Impact

Failure to rescue is a major cause of mortality in acute care settings. Several factors contribute to this problem, and nurses hold a significant key to addressing the issue. Using bell curves to analyze patient assessment data enables nurses to recognize indicators of impending crisis and act expediently to safeguard the health of the patient.

Infant case of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency: Wolman's disease

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which causes two distinct clinical phenotypes: Wolman's disease and cholesterol ester storage disease. LAL hydrolyses LDL-derived triglycerides and cholesterol esters to glycerol or cholesterol and free fatty acids. Its deficiency leads to accumulation of intracellular triglycerides and/or cholesterol esters. In early onset LAL deficiency, clinical manifestations start in the first few weeks of life with persistent vomiting, failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, liver dysfunction and hepatic failure. Adrenal calcification is a striking feature but is present in only about 50% of cases. We report a case of an infant presenting with vomiting, diarrhoea, hepatosplenomegaly and poor weight gain that was subsequently diagnosed as Wolman's disease. He was entered into a clinical trial for LAL replacement therapy. This case reinforces that early onset LAL deficiency should be considered in a baby presenting with failure to thrive, gastrointestinal symptoms and hepatosplenomegaly.

[Mutagenic effect of advanced paternal age in neurocardiofaciocutaneous syndrome]

BACKGROUND

Increased frequency of chromosomal aberration in children of mothers aged 35 years and older is very well known and since 1973 it is an indication to investigate the foetal karyotype in cells obtained by invasive method (amniocentesis), because the genetic risk of severe affection is higher than the risk of necessary invasive method. Mutagenic effect of advanced paternal age is known only among geneticists (1-4). The reason is not only low absolute risk of new mutation but particularly a high number of involved genes and last not least the limited spectrum of autosomal dominant disorders without abiotrofic character. Therefore the preventive methods for elimination of this risk are very limited. Only a few of them could be recognized prenatally by noninvasive methods of prenatal diagnostics.

METHODS

Genealogical, anamnestic and clinical data of 83 patients were studied with clinical suspection on neurocardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (NCFCs) (5-7). The diagnosis has not been confirmed in 29 patients, no mutation was detected in 8 investigated genes (PTPN11, SOS1, HRAS, BRAF, RAF1, MEK1, KRAS, NRAS). In 54 patients with autosomal dominant inherited Noonan syndrome, Costello syndrome and cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome the diagnosis was confirmed on DNA level and the biological fitness was estimated for each disorder. Paternal age at conception was compared in the group of patients with familial and sporadic occurrence of Noonan and NCFC syndromes. The clinical prognosis of this disorder is represented by biological fitness of patients. Coefficient of selection is 0,6 in Noonan and LEOPARD syndromes (29 from 48). All 6 patients with Costello and cardiofaciocutaneous syndromes developed due to a new mutation.

CONCLUSION

Paternal age at birth was studied in 83 children patients with autosomal dominant Neurocardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (Noonan, LEOPARD, Costello, CFC) with a high population incidence and decreased biological fitness. Due to severe congenital heart defects, failure to thrive in infancy, increased risk for malignancy and further health problems the clinical prognosis of patients in the past was not good. Therefore high mutation rate is expected until now. Identification of genes responsible for manifestation of this disorder, enables to confirm the diagnosis and to recognize inherited and de novo mutations. Genealogy and DNA analysis of PTPN11, SOS1, HRAS, BRAF, RAF1, MEK1, KRAS and NRAS were obtained in cohort of 54 patients with NCFC syndromes and their parents. There were 48 patients with Noonan and LEOPARD syndromes, in 29 cases due to mutation de novo, 19 patients inherited the mutation from one of parents. All 6 patients with Costello syndrome and CFC syndrome were affected due to new mutation. DNA analysis revealed 32 mutations in PTPN11 gene, mutation in SOS1 gene was found in 10 patients, RAF1 mutation was present in 3 patients; mutation in MEK1, KRAS and NRAS genes was present in one patient each. In Costello syndrome and CFC syndrome mutations in HRAS (4 patients) and BRAF (2 patients) genes were detected. Genealogic data allow analysing parental age in the group of patients with new mutation and inherited mutation. Paternal age at conception of patients with Noonan syndrome due to new mutation was significantly increased in comparison to the group of fathers of Noonan patients with inherited mutation - 38,4 years and 29,6 years, resp., range 28 to 55 years and 25 to 35 years, resp. Maternal age was slightly increased too, -30,9 and 27,7, resp. and range 24 to 42 years and 21 to 36 years, resp. but not significantly. The results support the mutagenic effect of paternal age, espec. autosomal dominant mutations.

Autism traits in the RASopathies

BACKGROUND

Mutations in Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Ras/MAPK) pathway genes lead to a class of disorders known as RASopathies, including neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), Noonan syndrome (NS), Costello syndrome (CS), and cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC). Previous work has suggested potential genetic and phenotypic overlap between dysregulation of Ras/MAPK signalling and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although the literature offers conflicting evidence for association of NF1 and autism, there has been no systematic evaluation of autism traits in the RASopathies as a class to support a role for germline Ras/MAPK activation in ASDs.

METHODS

We examined the association of autism traits with NF1, NS, CS and CFC, comparing affected probands with unaffected sibling controls and subjects with idiopathic ASDs using the qualitative Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and the quantitative Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS).

RESULTS

Each of the four major RASopathies showed evidence for increased qualitative and quantitative autism traits compared with sibling controls. Further, each RASopathy exhibited a distinct distribution of quantitative social impairment. Levels of social responsiveness show some evidence of correlation between sibling pairs, and autism-like impairment showed a male bias similar to idiopathic ASDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher prevalence and severity of autism traits in RASopathies compared to unaffected siblings suggests that dysregulation of Ras/MAPK signalling during development may be implicated in ASD risk. Evidence for sex bias and potential sibling correlation suggests that autism traits in the RASopathies share characteristics with autism traits in the general population and clinical ASD population and can shed light on idiopathic ASDs.

Disorders of childhood growth and development: failure to thrive versus short stature

Failure to thrive (FTT) describes retarded growth in height and weight, whereas short stature (SS) involves comparison of a child or adolescent's height to that of a reference group or to his or her own height across time. To identify either condition in infants, children, and adolescents, the family physician should focus on accurate measurement of length/height and weight as well as careful plotting and assessment of the rate of linear growth and weight gain based on World Health Organization standards (from birth to 2 years) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention charts (from age 2 years). Identification of the etiologies of FTT and SS is complex, requiring consideration of such factors as birth weight, prematurity, and familial height. FTT can result from inadequate caloric intake (eg, caused by difficulties with nursing, limited food availability, or incorrect formula preparation), inadequate caloric absorption (eg, resulting from metabolic, gastrointestinal, or other medical conditions), or excessive caloric expenditure/ineffective utilization (eg, due to hyperthyroidism, diabetes, pulmonary or cardiac conditions). Short stature can be due to a primary growth disorder, such as bone disease or chromosomal syndrome; a secondary factor, such as a chronic medical or endocrine disorder; or an undetermined etiology. The management of FTT and SS requires attention to a combination of medical and behavioral/social issues (eg, treating underlying conditions, assisting with the feeding process, addressing stress and social functioning), and often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Failure to thrive in infants (review)

Failure to thrive (FTT) is a common issue in practice. The definition of FTT differs among authors and among practices. FTT is usually categorized into organic vs. non-organic. This paper is a review of different articles that contains the terms "failure to thrive". A Review of articles was performed using Pub med and different journal websites. This article discusses the different definitions of FTT, the prevalence , the assessments , together with information on management. The initial step in managing an infant or child with FTT is to identify the cause whether it is "organic" or " non organic". An appropriate encounter would be by having a system-based approach. In addition to the pediatrician's skills in medical diagnosis and management, there is a need for evaluation of the child's temperament and development, oromotor functioning, nutritional needs and deficits, and family and social support systems.

Failure to thrive in childhood

BACKGROUND

Failure to thrive impairs children's weight gain and growth, their defenses against infection, and their psychomotor and intellectual development.

METHODS

This paper is a review of pertinent articles that were published from 1995 to October 2010 and contained the terms "failure to thrive", "underweight", "malnutrition", "malabsorption", "maldigestion" and "refeeding syndrome". The articles were retrieved by a search in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases.

RESULTS

In developed countries, failure to thrive is usually due to an underlying disease. The degree of malnutrition is assessed with anthropometric techniques. For each patient, the underlying disease must be identified and the mechanism of failure to thrive understood, so that proper medical and nutritional treatment can be provided. Nutritional treatment involves either giving more food, or else raising the caloric density of the patient's food. Liquid formulas can be given as a supplement to normal meals or as balanced or unbalanced tube feeds; they can be given orally, through a nasogastric tube, or through a gastrostomy tube. Severely malnourished children with poor oral intake should be treated with parenteral nutrition. To avoid refeeding syndrome in severely malnourished children, food intake should be increased slowly at first, and phosphate, magnesium, and potassium supplements should be given.

CONCLUSION

The proper treatment of failure to thrive in childhood consists of treatment of the underlying illness, combined with nutritional treatment that addresses the mechanism of the accompanying failure to thrive.

Failure to thrive: an update

Failure to thrive in childhood is a state of undernutrition due to inadequate caloric intake, inadequate caloric absorption, or excessive caloric expenditure. In the United States, it is seen in 5 to 10 percent of children in primary care settings. Although failure to thrive is often defined as a weight for age that falls below the 5th percentile on multiple occasions or weight deceleration that crosses two major percentile lines on a growth chart, use of any single indicator has a low positive predictive value. Most cases of failure to thrive involve inadequate caloric intake caused by behavioral or psychosocial issues. The most important part of the outpatient evaluation is obtaining an accurate account of a child's eating habits and caloric intake. Routine laboratory testing rarely identifies a cause and is not generally recommended. Reasons to hospitalize a child for further evaluation include failure of outpatient management, suspicion of abuse or neglect, or severe psychosocial impairment of the caregiver. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment, including home nursing visits and nutritional counseling, has been shown to improve weight gain, parent-child relationships, and cognitive development. The long-term effects of failure to thrive on cognitive development and future academic performance are unclear.

An unusual cause of failure to thrive in a child

Classic Bartter syndrome, depending on the severity, presents during childhood or adolescence as failure to thrive and may be incorrectly labelled as protein-energy malnutrition, particularly in children from a low socioeconomic stratum. We encountered a 5-year-old boy who was asymptomatic till the age of 3 years. Despite adequate dietary intake, he was admitted and managed in various hospitals as a case of protein-energy malnutrition. On evaluation, he had unusual features in the form of persistent hypokalaemia and polyuria leading us to suspect a renal tubular disorder. Treatment of the condition resulted in good weight gain and normalization of serum electrolytes.

Noonan syndrome and clinically related disorders

Noonan syndrome is a relatively common, clinically variable developmental disorder. Cardinal features include postnatally reduced growth, distinctive facial dysmorphism, congenital heart defects and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, variable cognitive deficit and skeletal, ectodermal and hematologic anomalies. Noonan syndrome is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, and is genetically heterogeneous. So far, heterozygous mutations in nine genes (PTPN11, SOS1, KRAS, NRAS, RAF1, BRAF, SHOC2, MEK1 and CBL) have been documented to underlie this disorder or clinically related phenotypes. Based on these recent discoveries, the diagnosis can now be confirmed molecularly in approximately 75% of affected individuals. Affected genes encode for proteins participating in the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signal transduction pathway, which is implicated in several developmental processes controlling morphology determination, organogenesis, synaptic plasticity and growth. Here, we provide an overview of clinical aspects of this disorder and closely related conditions, the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenesis, and major genotype-phenotype correlations.