Learning Objective #1: Understand the importance of diagnosis and treatment of children with failure to thrive | |||
Learning Objective #2: Discuss the impact of Failure to thrive on longterm sequela |
The goal of the GROW Clinic is to prevent the long-term health and developmental effects from FTT and its associated family dysfunction. The GROW Clinic is unique in that it employs a multi-disciplinary, team-based approach to child malnutrition that addresses the psychosocial and economic issues of nutrition.
Results
Operational since 2005, the clinic has evaluated 146 children/families.100% of the children have weights in less than the 5th percentile at the time of referral (mean age is 18 months). More than 85% of the children at the GROW Clinic have gained an appropriate amount of weight for age (g/d) and have improved behaviors (mealtime structure, juice intake). 20% have been diagnosed with organic FTT (GER, asthma); 92% have psychosocial issues impacting their FTT(unstructured meals, food insecurity, behavior); 96% of patients have excessive fluid intake. One third of the children have developmental delays or behavior issues (ADHD). Social services have been implemented in more than 60% of the families from the GROW Clinic. About 80% of patients have been referred to community organizations (Early Intervention Services; skilled day care providers; DHS).
ConclusionThe multidisciplinary approach to FTT implemented by the GROW team has made a major impact on both anthropometric and behavior change in the children/families. The GROW Clinic is working to test the impact of the multidisciplinary approach