What condition is characterized by a failure to thrive in infants?

Failure to thrive in infants is primarily associated with malnutrition, which occurs when an infant does not receive adequate nutrition necessary for their growth and development. It can manifest in various ways, including insufficient weight gain, stunted growth, or both. Malnutrition can result from a variety of factors such as inadequate dietary intake, feeding difficulties, or underlying medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption or metabolism.

In the context of failure to thrive, it’s critical to identify and address the nutritional needs of the infant to ensure appropriate growth milestones are met. The impact of malnutrition can be profound, affecting not just physical growth but also cognitive and emotional development.

Other conditions, while potentially serious, do not directly correlate with the specific characteristics and symptoms associated with failure to thrive in this context. For instance, obesity involves an excess of nutrients leading to overgrowth, hyperactivity is generally linked to behavioral issues that may not directly affect physical growth, and dehydration refers to a lack of adequate fluids, which, while detrimental to health, is distinct from nutritional deficiencies that result in failure to thrive.