Health Library

Growth - slow (child 0 - 5 years); Weight gain - slow (child 0 - 5 years); Slow rate of growth; Retarded growth and development

A child should have regular, well-baby check-ups with a health care provider.

See the following for more information:

• Infant - newborn development
  • Developmental milestones record - 2 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 4 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 6 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 9 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 12 months
• Toddler development
  • Developmental milestones record - 18 months
  • Developmental milestones record - 2 years
  • Developmental milestones record - 3 years
  • Developmental milestones record - 4 years
  • Developmental milestones record - 5 years

Delayed or slower-than-expected growth can be caused by many different things, including:

• Chronic disease
• Emotional (psychosocial) health
• Genetics
• Infection
• Poor nutrition

Many children with delayed growth also have delays in development.

See also: Failure to thrive

If slow weight gain is due to a lack of calories, try feeding the child on demand. Increase the amount offered to the child, and offer nutritional, high-calorie foods. Also, prepare formula exactly according to directions. Do not water down (dilute) ready-to-feed formula.

Contact your health care provider if you think notice developmental delays or think eemotional issues may be contributing to a child's delayed growth.

If your child is not growing due to lack of calories, your health care provider can refer you to a nutrition expert who can help you choose the right foods to offer your child.

The health care provider will examine the child and measure height, weight, and head circumference . The parent or caregiver will be asked questions about the child's medical history, including:

• Has the child always been on the low end of the growth charts?
• Did the child's growth start out normal and then slow down?
• Is the child developing normal social skills and physical skills?
• Does the child eat well? What kinds of foods does the child eat?
• What type of feeding schedule is used?
• Is the infant fed by breast or bottle?
• If the baby is breastfed , what medications does the mother take?
• If bottle-fed, what kind of formula is used? How is the formula mixed?
• What medications does the child take?
• How tall are the child's biological parents? How much do they weigh?
• What other symptoms are present?

Ther health care provider may also ask questions about parenting habits and the child's social interactions.

Tests may include:

• Blood tests (such as a CBC or blood differential )
• Hormone studies
• Stool studies (to check for malabsorption)
• X-rays to determine bone age and to look for fractures