FAILURE TO THRIVE!

Failure to Thrive, A Manifestation of Child Abuse or Neglect!

Child Abuse includes neglect which is a pattern of failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing for a child.

She only weighed half of the weight of a normal baby for her age. The Doctor on the Child Protection am had written in his report that not only was this child dangerously underweight but she was also severely behind in her developmental skills. In reviewing the photographs attached with the Doctor’s conclusion, I was horrified to see an emaciated child who appeared to be listless and almost lifeless. The Doctor had listed the facts in his report along with his ultimate conclusion that the child was suffering from Failure to Thrive which is a form of Child Abuse. The syndrome is present in a significant number of children as a result of neglect. It results from inadequate nutrition. Sometimes it can be unintentional due to errors in feeding, improper feeding techniques or errors in preparing formula. Of course it can also be a result of poverty or even some organic diseases. In diagnosing this syndrome, facts are gathered from a home visit which includes an observation of how the child is fed, a thorough physical examination of the child and questioning the caregiver of the child.

The facts in this case showed that the child was the fourth child born to a married couple. Investigation revealed that the first three children were healthy, happy and thriving. The social workers conducted a home visit and found that the refrigerator was well-stocked with food. The mother was questioned about the young child’s feeding schedule and what formula she was using. After being examined by a pediatrician, the child was admitted to the hospital. During her stay in the hospital, the child gained weight. However upon discharge the child once again lost weight and had to be hospitalized again. The social workers visited the hospital and observed the nurses interacting with the child and they observed that during the child’s feeding, the nurses were singing and holding the child. While conducting a subsequent home visit after the child was discharged from the hospital, the social workers observed that the mother had asked her other children to feed the youngest. The children propped a bottle in the child’s mouth and left the young child alone on the sofa. The mother showed no concern for the child’s safety nor did she interact with the child. The social workers questioned the mother and discovered that she felt overwhelmed with the responsibility of an additional child. She received no assistance at home from her husband whom she not only resented but also suspected that he was having an extra-marital affair.

Upon reviewing the facts and the results of the physical examination of the child, and the facts gathered from the home visit, the experts on the Child Protection concluded that the child was suffering from Failure to Thrive. As a result of the diagnosis, the mother was provided with court ordered psychological counseling and parenting classes.

In cases like this it is imperative that there is intervention from experts. If you suspect that a child is being neglected, please do not ignore the facts that led you to that conclusion. Make a call to your local social agency and report what you suspect. Your call may very well save a child who will most likely die without the necessary medical intervention. In addition, many states allow the reporter to remain anonymous. If you are a parent and after having read this article, suspect that you may be neglecting a child, please seek help. With your help, we can continue our fight to black out child abuse. Children are precious and they should be loved, protected and cherished.