FAILURE TO THRIVE IN CHILDREN – UNDERSTANDING GROWTH FALTERING AND THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUALISED HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Abstract: Failure to Thrive (FTT) is a frequently encountered paediatric condition characterized by inadequate physical growth and failure to achieve expected anthropometric parameters for age and sex1. It represents a clinical manifestation of underlying nutritional, medical, psychosocial, or constitutional disturbances rather than a single disease entity. Growth faltering during early childhood is associated with increased susceptibility to infections, delayed developmental milestones, and long-term cognitive and physical consequences2. Conventional management primarily focuses on nutritional rehabilitation and treatment of associated medical conditions; however, sustained improvement is not always achieved.Homoeopathy adopts a holistic and individualised approach, addressing the child’s constitutional makeup, digestive capacity, immunity, and mental-emotional state. This article aims to present a comprehensive overview of Failure to Thrive, including its background, pathophysiology, clinical features, and homoeopathic management, supported by a brief clinical case illustration.