Abstract
Nonorganic failure to thrive (N-O FTT) is associated with abnormal psychosocial characteristics in the family, and prognosis for physical, behavioral and cognitive development is poor. In a multidisciplinary program aimed at providing comprehensive medical care, psychosocial support, and parent education to teach child-rearing practices based on the child's development and enhanced parent-child interaction, team members (pediatric nurse associate, nutritionist, social worker and parent educator) saw the family at 1- to 4-week intervals over a 6-month to 2-year period. As evaluated by standard growth charts, all 10 patients in the study group significantly improved ( > 2SD) in weight within 1-4 months and in height in 1-3 months and maintained that improvement, head circumference and scores on the Cattell Intelligence Scale were not delayed in most patients, and pre- vs postscores on the Parenting Stress Index improved in both child and parent domains. Among age- and sex-matched controls (followed in continuity-care clinics), only infants placed in foster care similarly improved. A few infants with fetal alcohol syndrome enrolled in the study and reared by foster parents did not significantly improve in growth. A comprehensive multidiseiplinary program effectively provides psychosocial support to the parents and restores normal growth in children with N-O FTT. Longitudinal studies are needed to show persistent beneficial effects.
Supported by the Institute of Mental Hygiene of the City of New Orleans.
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Rao, J., Leblanc, B., Todd, M. et al. 786 CARE OF INFANTS WITH NONORGANIC FAILURE TO THRIVE: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH. Pediatr Res 19, 241 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00816
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00816