FTT
Pronunciation: F-T-T
Also written as: FTT — failure to thrive
Failure to thrive; inadequate physical growth in children falling below expected developmental parameters.
Full Definition
Failure to thrive (FTT) is a clinical condition describing children whose physical growth trajectory falls significantly below expected norms for their age and sex. In pediatric gastroenterology, FTT often results from inadequate caloric intake, malabsorption, increased metabolic demands, or underlying gastrointestinal disorders. The condition is typically defined as weight falling below the 3rd percentile or crossing two major percentile lines on growth charts. Comprehensive evaluation includes nutritional assessment, feeding history, and investigation for underlying organic causes such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or gastroesophageal reflux.
Usage
Usage note: Acceptable as abbreviation in clinical documentation but spell out on first use in formal reports.
In Context
- "The 18-month-old patient presented with FTT, prompting evaluation for malabsorption disorders including celiac disease." — Pediatric gastroenterology consultation