What condition can be indicated by a failure to thrive in children?

Failure to thrive in children is a clinical manifestation that indicates insufficient growth or weight gain compared to established standards. This condition can arise from various underlying health issues, including cardiac problems. Children with cardiac conditions may struggle with feeding due to inadequate cardiac output and increased work of breathing, which can contribute to poor growth and weight gain.

Heart defects or chronic heart disease can lead to higher energy expenditure and difficulty in maintaining adequate nutritional intake, ultimately resulting in failure to thrive. Identifying cardiac issues through thorough assessment and appropriate investigation is critical when addressing failure to thrive.

Obesity and normal development would not typically be associated with failure to thrive, as obesity indicates excess weight, and normal development suggests that a child is meeting growth milestones. Cognitive development issues are more associated with other signs or symptoms and do not directly cause failure to thrive; rather, they may stem from sources that also contribute to insufficient dietary intake or nutritional deficits.