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genetic factors, such as a tendency for family members to be small in stature, and.There are a number of common reasons an infant or toddler might not to weight. If your child fails to gain weight for an overly long time, it can lead to permanent health problems. If lack of growth can be identified and dealt with as early as possible, then your child’s health outcomes are likely to be better. Infants born prematurely follow slightly different growth patterns on account of their early birth. Understanding Failure to Thriveįailure to thrive is assessed on the basis of the average growth for your child’s age. Your child is usually monitored over a period of time, with measures taken to promote weight gain and growth. There are many factors that can contribute to failure to thrive. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites.Your pediatrician may give a failure to thrive diagnosis if your baby or child doesn’t grow or gain weight as expected. Selecting these links will take you away from to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.Īll insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT) (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA) or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. That insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state).
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Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc.
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When should you call for help?Ĭall 911 or other emergency services immediately if: Your child may be able to develop at a normal rate if the period of failure to thrive has been short. Your doctor may recommend that your child receive nutritional therapy in the hospital. If your child has emotional problems or has been affected by conditions at home, treatment may need to include counseling and improving the home situation. That may be enough to help your child begin to gain weight at a normal rate. If your child's failure to thrive is caused by a medical condition, your doctor may be able to treat the condition. Failure to thrive may point to caregiver depression or another mental health problem that makes it hard for the caregiver to interpret or respond to the child's needs. Not getting enough nutrients is the immediate cause of failure to thrive, but the ultimate cause may be complicated and hard to determine. A child who has poor eating habits may also have stunted growth. Some children do not thrive as expected because they do not get enough to eat or they have emotional problems. What causes it?įailure to thrive can be caused by medical conditions, such as anemia or thyroid problems. Slow growth also can lead to delays in mental and social skills.
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A baby who has failed to thrive may seem slow to develop physical skills, such as rolling over, standing, and walking. Condition Basics What is failure to thrive?įailure to thrive is a term used to describe a child who seems to be gaining weight or height more slowly than other children of his or her age and sex.
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