Faltering growth is defined by the WHO as a fall in weight for age Z-score of ≥ 1.0 SD that merits evaluation.1 The term is used to refer to a slower rate of weight gain in childhood than expected for age and sex.2
However, in a recent review they propose that a time frame should be added to ensure children are not falsely categorized with growth faltering, especially following an acute illness such as diarrhea or vomiting.3
As there are many biological, psychosocial and environmental processes that can lead to malnutrition, FTT should never be a diagnosis in itself.4
If we consider average growth, then most infants have tripled their birth weight by the first birthday and increased their length by about 24 centimetres.5 But all babies are different, and their growth comes in spurts, so it not constant.
