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Failure to thrive
Failure to thrive Slow growth and development of a baby, characterized by failure to gain weight, delayed development, unwillingness to interact, and gastrointestinal problems. Failure to thrive is almost always the result of inadequate nutrition, whether because of neglect or illness.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Development
The process of growth and differentiation.
Gastrointestinal
Having to do with the stomach and intestines.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Failure to thrive (FTT)
Refers to a child whose physical growth is significantly less than that of peers. There is no official consensus on what constitutes failure to thrive (FTT). It usually refers to a child whose growth is below the 3rd or 5th percentiles for their age or whose growth has fallen off precipitously and crossed two major growth percentiles (for example, from above the 75th percentile to below the 25th percentile). Failure to thrive in early infancy sometimes results in death, and in older infancy or childhood is an important marker for underlying disease. Causes of failure to thrive are probably many, including unrecognized food allergies leading to refusal of food and vomiting, undiagnosed metabolic disorders, and disease.
Failure, adrenal
A condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the adrenal hormones that control important functions such as blood pressure. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. The adrenal is made up of an outer layer (the cortex) and an inner portion (the medulla). The adrenal glands produce hormones that help control the heart rate, blood pressure, the way the body uses food, and other vital functions. The adrenal cortex secretes steroid (cortisone-related) hormones and mineralocortoids that regulate the levels of minerals such as sodium and potassium in the blood.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Foodborne illness
An acute gastrointestinal infection caused by food that contains harmful bacteria. Also called food poisoning.
Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF)
Liver failure that occurs suddenly in a previously healthy person. The most common causes are acute hepatitis, acetaminophen overdose, and liver damage from prescription drugs.
Functional disorders
Conditions resulting from poor nerve and muscle function. Also called motility disorders.
Functional incontinence
Difficulty reaching a restroom in time because of physical conditions such as arthritis.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
A technique that can be used for prenatal diagnosis, in which specifically designed fluorescent molecules are used to "light up" particular genes or sections of chromosomes to make them visible under a microscope. The fluorescence makes even small abnormalities in the chromosomes visible.
Failure to thrive
Family and Medical Leave Act
Passed in 1993, the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act mandates up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave for employees of companies with more than 50 employees. Under this act, people can also take leave to care for a sick child, parent, or spouse
Family practitioner
An updated version of the general practitioner who provided one-stop care for all ages and both sexes, the family practitioner has several years ofspecialty training in primary care, including obstetrics.
Fertility specialist
An obstetrician / gynecologist who specializes in treating people with fertility problems.
Fetal distress
When a fetus's life is believed to be in danger, most often because of too little oxygen. Signs of fetal distress -- including slowed heartbeat or absence of fetal movement -- call for immediate delivery of the baby.
Fetal monitoring
Tracking a fetus's heartbeat and a woman's uterine contractions during labor.
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