A community based study of failure to thrive in Israel.

• DOI: 10.1136/adc.75.2.145
• Publication Date: 2008-12-22T23:07:28Z
• Authors: D S Wilensky; G Ginsberg; M Altman; T H Tulchinsky; F Ben Yishay; J Auerbach
• Keywords: Failure to Thrive

To examine the characteristics of infants suffering from failure to thrive in a community based cohort Israel and ascertain effect on their cognitive development.By review records maintained at maternal child health clinics Jerusalem two Beit Shemesh, epidemiological data were obtained age 15 months all babies born 1991. For each case thrive, matched control was selected same clinic. At 20 months, development measured, 25 home visit carried out assess psychiatric status by questionnaire, HOME assessment performed environment.3.9% found have fallen below third centile weight for least three during first year life. Infants with did not differ general population terms obstetric or neonatal complications, birth order, parents' ethnic origin, age, years education. The lower birthweights marginally smaller head circumferences birth. Developmental showed DQ 99.7 v 107.2 controls, 11.5% having 80, as opposed only 4.6% controls. No differences problems measured self report questionnaire. There were, however, significant subscales scale.(1) who suffered had some physiological predispositions that put them risk; (2) may be an early marker families providing suboptimal developmental stimulation.