Ask the Expert

Growth and Nutrition Experts’s Bio Image

Get answers to your child's growth, nutrition, and feeding behavior questions.

Growth and Nutrition Experts’s Bio | Q&A Archive

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

Please install flash player to see this video.

Delayed growth - Overview

Alternative Names

Growth - slow (child 0 - 5 years); Weight gain - slow (child 0 - 5 years); Slow rate of growth; Retarded growth and development

Definition of Delayed growth:

Delayed growth is poor or abnormally slow height or weight gains in a child younger than age 5.

Considerations:

A child should have regular, well-baby check-ups with a health care provider.

See the following for more information:

Common Causes:

Delayed or slower-than-expected growth can be caused by many different things, including:

Chronic disease
Emotional (psychosocial) health
Genetics
Infection
Poor nutrition

Many children with delayed growth also have delays in development.

See also: Failure to thrive

Toddler development

Reviewed last on: 2/27/2009
Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)