Failure to thrive or slower growth: medical, developmental / behavioral, nutritional and social dimensions

Diagnose stunting and childhood malnutrition.

Understand the pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of growth retardation.

Take a comprehensive relevant history starting with the prenatal period that includes parent height (if applicable), nutritional and dietary details, developmental progress, and social determinants of health.

Understand the role of diagnostic tests, including first-line laboratory tests such as complete blood count with differential count, iron studies, bypass, chemistry panel, and celiac assessment with immunoglobulin A and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies.

To assess growth retardation in specific populations of children with a history of prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, short stature for gestational age, autism, and prenatal substance exposure.

Understand the role of social determinants in child undernutrition and screening and resources to address conditions of poverty and inequality, including, but not limited to, food insecurity.

Demonstrate cultural skills by counseling families on growth, nutrition and feeding.

Understand multidisciplinary treatment, including medical, nutritional and often behavioral / dietary therapy, and developmental and psychosocial support, with close monitoring, use of drug therapy when necessary, and collaboration between providers and programs.