ICD-10: R62.51

Clinical Description of ICD-10 Code R62.51: Failure to Thrive (Child)

Definition and Overview
ICD-10 code R62.51 refers to "Failure to thrive (child)," a clinical condition characterized by inadequate growth or weight gain in children, particularly infants and toddlers. This diagnosis is often used when a child's growth is significantly below the expected norms for their age and sex, indicating potential underlying health issues or environmental factors affecting their development[1][2].

Clinical Features

Growth Parameters
Failure to thrive is typically identified through the following growth parameters:
- Weight: A child may be below the 5th percentile for weight based on standardized growth charts.
- Height: Height may also be affected, with a child falling below the expected growth trajectory.
- Weight-for-height: This measurement can indicate whether a child is underweight for their height, which is crucial for assessing nutritional status[3].

Symptoms and Signs
Children with failure to thrive may exhibit various symptoms, including:
- Poor appetite: Reluctance to eat or drink.
- Irritability: Increased fussiness or lethargy.
- Delayed developmental milestones: Such as walking or speaking later than peers.
- Frequent infections: Due to a compromised immune system linked to malnutrition[4].

Etiology

Causes of Failure to Thrive
The causes of failure to thrive can be multifactorial and may include:
- Nutritional deficiencies: Inadequate caloric intake due to poor feeding practices or lack of access to nutritious food.
- Medical conditions: Chronic illnesses such as gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic disorders, or congenital anomalies that affect nutrient absorption or utilization.
- Psychosocial factors: Environmental stressors, including neglect, abuse, or family dysfunction, can impact a child's ability to thrive[5][6].

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria
To diagnose failure to thrive, healthcare providers typically consider:
- Growth measurements: Regular monitoring of weight and height against growth charts.
- Medical history: A thorough assessment of dietary intake, family history, and any underlying medical conditions.
- Physical examination: To identify any signs of malnutrition or health issues that may contribute to poor growth[7].

Management

Intervention Strategies
Management of failure to thrive involves a comprehensive approach, including:
- Nutritional support: Ensuring adequate caloric intake through dietary modifications or supplementation.
- Medical treatment: Addressing any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to the child's growth issues.
- Psychosocial support: Engaging with families to improve feeding practices and address any environmental factors affecting the child's well-being[8].

Conclusion

ICD-10 code R62.51 for failure to thrive in children is a critical diagnosis that highlights the importance of monitoring growth and development in pediatric populations. Early identification and intervention are essential to prevent long-term consequences associated with inadequate growth. Healthcare providers must adopt a holistic approach, considering both medical and psychosocial factors, to effectively manage this condition and support the child's overall health and development.

For further information or specific case management strategies, consulting pediatric nutritionists or specialists in child development may be beneficial.

Failure to thrive (FTT) in children, classified under ICD-10 code R62.51, is a clinical condition characterized by inadequate growth or weight gain in infants and toddlers. This condition can arise from various underlying issues, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, or psychosocial factors. Understanding the clinical presentation, signs, symptoms, and patient characteristics associated with FTT is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention.

Clinical Presentation

Definition and Overview

Failure to thrive is defined as a significant deviation from expected growth patterns, typically assessed through growth charts. It is often identified when a child's weight falls below the 5th percentile for their age or when there is a notable drop in growth percentiles over time[1][2].

Patient Characteristics

Children diagnosed with FTT may exhibit a range of characteristics, including:
- Age: Most commonly observed in infants and toddlers, particularly those under two years of age[3].
- Demographics: FTT can affect children from all backgrounds, but certain populations may be at higher risk due to socioeconomic factors, access to healthcare, or cultural practices regarding feeding[4].

Signs and Symptoms

Physical Signs

• Weight Loss or Poor Weight Gain: The most prominent sign of FTT is a failure to gain weight appropriately for age, which may manifest as weight loss or stagnation[5].
• Short Stature: Children may also present with height measurements below the expected range for their age[6].
• Muscle Wasting: In more severe cases, muscle wasting or a decrease in subcutaneous fat may be observed, indicating malnutrition[7].

Behavioral Symptoms

• Irritability or Lethargy: Affected children may appear more irritable or lethargic than their peers, which can be a sign of inadequate caloric intake or underlying health issues[8].
• Feeding Difficulties: Parents may report challenges with feeding, such as refusal to eat, prolonged feeding times, or difficulty transitioning to solid foods[9].

Developmental Delays

• Cognitive and Motor Delays: Children with FTT may experience delays in reaching developmental milestones, including cognitive, social, and motor skills[10]. This can be attributed to both nutritional deficits and psychosocial factors.

Underlying Causes

The causes of FTT can be broadly categorized into three groups:
1. Inadequate Caloric Intake: This may result from poor feeding practices, lack of access to nutritious food, or feeding disorders[11].
2. Increased Caloric Expenditure: Chronic illnesses, such as congenital heart disease or metabolic disorders, can lead to increased energy needs that are not met by intake[12].
3. Malabsorption: Conditions like celiac disease or cystic fibrosis can impair nutrient absorption, leading to inadequate growth despite adequate caloric intake[13].

Conclusion

Failure to thrive in children, represented by ICD-10 code R62.51, is a multifaceted condition that requires careful assessment of growth patterns, nutritional intake, and potential underlying health issues. Early identification and intervention are critical to address the causes of FTT and support healthy growth and development. Pediatricians and healthcare providers should remain vigilant for signs and symptoms of FTT, ensuring that affected children receive comprehensive evaluations and appropriate management strategies to promote optimal health outcomes.

The ICD-10-CM code R62.51 specifically refers to "Failure to thrive (child)," a diagnosis used primarily in pediatric medicine to indicate a child who is not gaining weight or growing as expected. This condition can arise from various underlying issues, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, or psychosocial factors. Below are alternative names and related terms associated with this diagnosis.

Alternative Names for Failure to Thrive

1. Growth Failure: This term emphasizes the lack of expected growth in height and weight, which is a key indicator of failure to thrive.
2. Nutritional Deficiency: Often used when the failure to thrive is primarily due to inadequate nutrition, whether from dietary insufficiency or absorption issues.
3. Underweight: This term may be used in contexts where the child’s weight is significantly below the expected range for their age and sex.
4. Inadequate Weight Gain: A descriptive term that highlights the specific issue of not gaining weight as expected.
5. Pediatric Malnutrition: This broader term encompasses various forms of malnutrition, including those leading to failure to thrive.

Related Terms and Concepts

1. Failure to Thrive (FTT): A commonly used abbreviation for failure to thrive, often seen in clinical settings.
2. Chronic Illness: Many children with chronic health conditions may experience failure to thrive due to the impact of their illness on growth and nutrition.
3. Psychosocial Factors: This term refers to the social and emotional aspects that can contribute to a child’s inability to thrive, such as neglect or family stress.
4. Developmental Delays: Children who fail to thrive may also exhibit delays in other areas of development, including motor skills and cognitive abilities.
5. Weight-for-Age Percentile: A measurement used to assess a child's growth in relation to peers, often utilized in diagnosing failure to thrive.

Conclusion

Understanding the various alternative names and related terms for ICD-10 code R62.51 is crucial for healthcare professionals when diagnosing and discussing cases of failure to thrive in children. These terms not only aid in communication but also help in identifying the underlying causes and appropriate interventions for affected children. If you have further questions or need more specific information, feel free to ask!

The ICD-10-CM code R62.51 is designated for "Failure to thrive (child)," which is a clinical condition characterized by inadequate growth or weight gain in infants and young children. Diagnosing this condition involves a comprehensive assessment that includes several criteria and considerations.

Diagnostic Criteria for Failure to Thrive

1. Growth Measurements

• Weight and Height Percentiles: A child is typically diagnosed with failure to thrive if their weight is below the 5th percentile for their age and sex, or if there is a significant drop in weight percentile over time (e.g., crossing two major percentiles downward) [2][3].
• Weight-for-Age Ratio: This ratio is crucial in assessing whether a child is maintaining an appropriate growth trajectory. A consistent decline in this ratio can indicate potential issues [4].

2. Clinical Assessment

• Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination is essential to identify any underlying medical conditions that may contribute to poor growth, such as chronic illnesses, metabolic disorders, or gastrointestinal issues [5].
• Developmental Milestones: Evaluating whether the child is meeting developmental milestones can provide insights into their overall health and well-being. Delays in milestones may suggest broader developmental issues [6].

3. Nutritional Evaluation

• Dietary Intake: Assessing the child’s dietary habits and nutritional intake is critical. This includes evaluating the adequacy of caloric intake and the balance of macronutrients and micronutrients [7].
• Feeding Practices: Understanding the feeding practices, including breastfeeding, formula feeding, and introduction of solid foods, can help identify potential causes of inadequate nutrition [8].

4. Psychosocial Factors

• Family and Environmental Context: Factors such as socioeconomic status, parental education, and family dynamics can significantly impact a child's nutrition and growth. A psychosocial assessment may reveal stressors that affect feeding and care [9].
• Parental Concerns and Observations: Gathering information from parents about their observations regarding the child’s eating habits, behavior during meals, and any difficulties encountered can provide valuable context for the diagnosis [10].

5. Laboratory Tests

• Screening for Underlying Conditions: In some cases, laboratory tests may be warranted to rule out underlying medical conditions that could contribute to failure to thrive, such as anemia, infections, or metabolic disorders [6][10].

Conclusion

Diagnosing failure to thrive in children using the ICD-10 code R62.51 requires a multifaceted approach that includes careful measurement of growth parameters, clinical evaluations, nutritional assessments, and consideration of psychosocial factors. By systematically addressing these criteria, healthcare providers can identify the underlying causes of inadequate growth and implement appropriate interventions to support the child's health and development.

Failure to thrive (FTT) in children, classified under ICD-10-CM code R62.51, is a clinical condition characterized by inadequate growth or weight gain in infants and toddlers. This condition can arise from various underlying issues, including nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, or psychosocial factors. Understanding the standard treatment approaches for FTT is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure proper management and support for affected children.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Before initiating treatment, a comprehensive assessment is essential. This typically includes:

• Medical History: Gathering information about the child's growth patterns, dietary intake, and any underlying medical conditions.
• Physical Examination: Evaluating the child's growth parameters (weight, height, head circumference) and overall health.
• Laboratory Tests: Conducting tests to rule out metabolic, endocrine, or gastrointestinal disorders that may contribute to FTT[1][2].

Nutritional Interventions

Nutritional support is a cornerstone of treatment for FTT. Key strategies include:

• Increased Caloric Intake: Providing high-calorie foods and supplements to promote weight gain. This may involve using fortified formulas or adding calorie-dense foods to the child's diet[3].
• Feeding Strategies: Implementing structured feeding schedules and encouraging frequent meals and snacks. Parents may be advised on how to create a positive mealtime environment to reduce stress and encourage eating[4].
• Monitoring Growth: Regularly tracking the child's growth to assess the effectiveness of dietary interventions and making adjustments as necessary[5].

Addressing Underlying Causes

Identifying and treating any underlying medical or psychosocial issues is critical. This may involve:

• Medical Treatment: Addressing any identified health conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders or metabolic issues, that may be contributing to FTT[6].
• Psychosocial Support: Providing resources for families facing social or emotional challenges, including counseling or support groups, to improve the home environment and reduce stressors that may affect the child's eating habits[7].

Multidisciplinary Approach

A multidisciplinary team approach can enhance the management of FTT. This may include:

• Pediatricians: Overseeing the overall health and growth of the child.
• Dietitians: Offering specialized nutritional guidance tailored to the child's needs.
• Speech and Language Therapists: Assisting with feeding difficulties, particularly if oral-motor skills are a concern[8].
• Social Workers: Helping families access community resources and support services[9].

Follow-Up and Monitoring

Ongoing follow-up is essential to ensure that the child is making progress. This includes:

• Regular Check-Ups: Scheduling frequent visits to monitor growth and development.
• Adjusting Treatment Plans: Modifying dietary and therapeutic interventions based on the child's response to treatment[10].

Conclusion

The management of failure to thrive in children requires a comprehensive and individualized approach that addresses nutritional needs, underlying medical conditions, and psychosocial factors. By employing a multidisciplinary strategy and ensuring regular follow-up, healthcare providers can significantly improve outcomes for children diagnosed with FTT. Early intervention and support are key to fostering healthy growth and development in affected children.