Faltering growth is defined by the WHO as a fall in weight for age Z-score of ≥ 1.0 that merits evaluation (WHO 2014). The term is used to refer to a slower rate of weight gain in childhood than expected for age and sex (UK NICE guidelines 2017).
However, in a recent review they propose that a time frame should be added to ensure children are not falsely categorized with growth faltering, especially following an acute illness such as diarrhea or vomiting (Cook R et al 2023).
As there are many biological, psychosocial and environmental processes that can lead to malnutrition, FTT should never be a diagnosis in itself (Cole et al 2011).
If we consider average growth, then most infants have tripled their birth weight by the first birthday and increased their length by about 24 centimetres (Mayo Clinic, 2023). But all babies are different, and their growth comes in spurts, so it not constant.
