Failure to thrive. The role of clinical and laboratory evaluation
R. H. Sills
One hundred eighty-five patients hospitalized for evaluation to thrive were
reviewed retrospectively. Eighteen percent had proven organic etiologies.
The specific organic diagnosis was strongly suggested by the history and
physical examination in all of these patients. Fifty percent of the
patients were failing to thrive on the basis of environmental deprivation.
Only 1.4% of the laboratory studies performed were of positive diagnostic
assistance. No study was of positive value without a specific indication
from the clinical evaluation. The history and physical examination are the
most valuable tools in the evaluation of failure to thrive. Laboratory
investigations are rarely helpful without a specific indication from the
clinical evaluation.
