Failure to thrive in a high risk infant population

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence and characteristics of failure to thrive (FTT) in a high risk infant sample (N=22) outside an institutional setting followed through a community nursing follow up program during the age adjusted first 12 months of life for the time period 1996 to 1998. Als' (1986) Synactive Theory of Development provided an interactive systems framework in describing the condition of FTT for this study. Secondary analysis was conducted on data from one population of high risk infants enrolled into the Newborn Intensive Care Program (NICP) and followed to 12 months adjusted age. To answer the research questions, data analysis occurred in two stages. In the first stage, a chart review of 100 infants completing follow up to adjusted age 12 months determined incidence of FTT. In the second stage, charts of infants identified as having FTT were reviewed to collect data regarding characteristics. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. The results of the study revealed that 22 of 100 infants had growth divergence either indicated on the chart by the documentation of code 783.4 and or the presence of downward growth divergence crossing two major percentile lines for weight and or weight for length. Infants were identified to have a high incidence of adverse health conditions both prior to and after the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Additionally, the infants and their families presented with developmental, environmental, and relationship concerns.