Faltering Growth in infants and children

Faltering growth is the failure of children to achieve adequate growth at a normal rate for their age. This is as a result of an insufficient intake of nutrients / absorption of nutrients in relation to their requirements. This may be due to an underlying medical condition or other social or environmental factors. Chronic undernutrition is associated with reduced cognitive development, longer term effects on growth trajectory and development later in life. There is also a link between undernutrition and immunity. Infants and children with or at risk of faltering growth may require nutritional support measures to ensure they are able to meet their requirements for catch-up growth and normal growth and development. Learn more about the assessment and management of faltering growth below.