Delayed growth is poor or abnormally slow height or weight gains in a child younger than age 5. This may just be normal, and the child may outgrow it.
Growth - slow (child 0 to 5 years); Weight gain - slow (child 0 to 5 years); Slow rate of growth; Retarded growth and development; Growth delay
A child should have regular, well-baby check-ups with a health care provider. These checkups are usually scheduled at the following times:
Related topics include:
Constitutional growth delay refers to children who are small for their age but are growing at a normal rate. Puberty is often late in these children.
These children continue to grow after most of their peers have stopped. Most of the time, they will reach an adult height similar to their parents' height. However, other causes of growth delay must be ruled out.
Genetics may also play a role. One or both parents may be short. Short but healthy parents may have a healthy child who is in the shortest 5% for their age. These children are short, but they should reach the height of one or both of their parents.
Delayed or slower-than-expected growth can be caused by many different things, including:
Many children with delayed growth also have delays in development.
If slow weight gain is due to a lack of calories, try feeding the child on demand. Increase the amount of food offered to the child. Offer nutritional, high-calorie foods.
It is very important to prepare formula exactly according to directions. DO NOT water down (dilute) ready-to-feed formula.
Contact your provider if you are concerned about your child's growth. Medical evaluations are important even if you think developmental delays or emotional issues may be contributing to a child's delayed growth.
If your child is not growing due to a lack of calories, your provider can refer you to a nutrition expert who can help you choose the right foods to offer your child.
The provider will examine the child and measure height, weight, and head circumference. The parent or caregiver will be asked questions about the child's medical history, including:
The provider may also ask questions about parenting habits and the child's social interactions.
Tests may include:
Naz Chaudary practices in Toronto, Canada. Chaudary is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Delayed Growth. She is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Delayed Growth, Cervical Cancer, Cerebral Hypoxia, and Radiation Sickness.
Ian Krantz is a Pediatrics specialist and a Medical Genetics expert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Krantz has been practicing medicine for over 32 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Delayed Growth. He is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cornelia De Lange Syndrome, Pallister-Killian Mosaic Syndrome, Delayed Growth, and Mosaicism. He is licensed to treat patients in Pennsylvania. Krantz is currently accepting new patients.
Maja Cemazar practices in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Cemazar is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Delayed Growth. She is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Delayed Growth, Melanoma, Fibrosarcoma, Necrosis, and Salpingo-Oophorectomy.
Summary: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is characterized by profound infantile hypotonia, growth delay, cognitive impairment, muscle weakness and exercise intolerance. Studies have suggested that a defect in energy metabolism, yet to be clarified, may be involved in its pathogenesis. Many PWS patients have received Coenzyme Q10, but the rationale for this and objective impact on cellular metabolism has not be...
Summary: Late preterm infants, who are born at 34, 35 or 36 weeks gestation, often have difficulty feeding, establishing growth, and fighting off infection. Breastfeeding provides improved nutrition to help fight infection, in part because breast milk encourages the growth of healthy bacteria (microbiota) in the infant's intestine. However, when mothers give birth preterm, their breasts are usually not qui...
Published Date: February 02, 2021
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Kimmel SR, Ratliff-Schaub K. Growth and development. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 22.
Lo L, Ballantine A. Malnutrition. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 59.