Home Care:

If slow weight gain is due to a lack of calories, try feeding the child on demand. Increase the amount of food offered to the child. Offer nutritional, high-calorie foods.

It is very important to prepare formula exactly according to directions. Do not water down (dilute) ready-to-feed formula.

Call your health care provider if:

Contact your health care provider if you think developmental delays or emotional issues may be contributing to a child's delayed growth.

If your child is not growing due to a lack of calories, your health care provider can refer you to a nutrition expert who can help you choose the right foods to offer your child.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The health care provider will examine the child and measure height, weight, and head circumference. The parent or caregiver will be asked questions about the child's medical history, including:

• Has the child always been on the low end of the growth charts?
• Did the child's growth start out normal and then slow down?
• Is the child developing normal social skills and physical skills?
• Does the child eat well? What kinds of foods does the child eat?
• What type of feeding schedule is used?
• Is the infant fed by breast or bottle?
• If the baby is breast fed, what medications does the mother take?
• If bottle-fed, what kind of formula is used? How is the formula mixed?
• What medications or supplements does the child take?
• How tall are the child's biological parents? How much do they weigh?
• What other symptoms are present?

The health care provider may also ask questions about parenting habits and the child's social interactions.

Tests may include:

• Blood tests (such as a CBC or blood differential)
• Stool studies (to check for poor nutrient absorption)
• Urine tests
• X-rays to determine bone age and to look for fractures