Can Children's Multivitamins Help Kids Who Have Failure to Thrive

Children’s multivitamins are often prescribed to kids who have been diagnosed with failure to thrive (FTT). This is a common condition that can often be corrected with prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent malnutrition and developmental problems.

Both medical and social factors often contribute to FTT. However, it is often not identified unless there is careful attention to plotting of growth parameters at routine checkups.  Typically a child who has been diagnosed with failure to thrive need additional calories and nutrients provided in children’s multivitamins to catch up in growth.

There are both organic and nonorganic classifications of FTT. The medical disorder can be caused by feeding problems, family stress, inadequate absorption, excess metabolic demand, or defective utilization. Very often, stress and psychosocial factors contribute to FTT.

The first action when FTT is suspected is to identify the underlying cause and correct it. This can be managed by nutrition intervention, including the introduction of children’s vitamin supplements, as well as feeding behavior modification. Some medical experts recommend choosing a children’s multivitamin with zinc as the mineral helps to reduce the energy cost of weight gain during catch-up growth.

The condition is very important to treat because there are serious consequences to not treating it such as short stature, behavior problems, and developmental delays. Early diagnosis is optimal, and with the correct course of treatment, there is a good chance of a good outcome.

If you suspect that your child may be suffering from FTT, it’s important to seek a physician’s care. They can provide you with the best advice and will often recommend a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates the help of a nurse, dietician, social worker, and psychologist. A recommendation of children’s vitamin supplements and a high calorie diet is usually also prescribed.  Learn more about Failure to Thrive.