A child’s weight gain, especially in early years, is crucial and requires close monitoring. Issues like weight faltering, where growth doesn’t align with expected standards, can often arise.

Discover more about what weight faltering entails and the signs to watch for in children experiencing this condition.

What is Weight Faltering?

Weight faltering occurs when a child's weight gain falls below the expected growth curve. Pediatricians and health professionals use WHO-standardized growth charts to track the progress of a child’s weight and height.

If a child's weight falls below the percentile for their age and gender or if significant weight loss occurs, this situation is termed weight faltering.

Although not all children with weight faltering suffer from malnutrition, if not managed appropriately, it can lead to more severe concerns like stunting. Stunting, linked to chronic malnutrition, results in children being shorter than average for their age.

Causes of Weight Faltering

Various factors can contribute to weight faltering, from dietary imbalances to health challenges. Below are some typical causes:

Unbalanced Diet

An imbalanced diet can impact growth and contribute to weight faltering, especially when babies are not exclusively breastfed and lack variety in their diets during the complementary feeding phase.

Babies still need a diverse intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals during their first experiences with solid food to support healthy growth and bodily functions.

Digestive Issues

Digestive issues such as lactose intolerance and celiac disease can hinder the body’s nutrient absorption, potentially leading to weight faltering.

Frequent Infections

Recurring infections, like diarrhea or respiratory issues, can interfere with a child’s nutritional intake and absorption, often resulting in weight and growth challenges.

Psychosocial Factors

Families facing economic challenges, limited education, or restricted healthcare access can also increase the risk of weight faltering. This is still prevalent in many areas, such as Indonesia, where regular monitoring at local health posts or hospitals is essential for child growth.

Signs of Weight Faltering

Weight faltering may be recognized through the following indicators:

• Weight that does not follow the WHO growth curve
• Failure to reach weight milestones appropriate for age
• Weight loss persisting beyond two weeks in infants, and over a month in older children
• Lack of interest in eating or drinking
• Frequent rejection of food offered
• Decreased appetite and portion sizes
• Appearance of fatigue, paleness, or dullness
• Bloated abdomen
• Increased fussiness or unexplained crying
• Less engagement with play or interest in activities
• Nighttime wakefulness

If any of these signs are noticeable, consult a healthcare provider promptly to identify the underlying cause. Doctors can regularly assess growth, review diet, and conduct necessary medical tests to pinpoint the issue.

Have further questions about child growth? You can speak with a doctor via the Ai Care app, available on the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more insights into pregnancy, breastfeeding, or women’s and children’s health? Click here!