Failure to Thrive

A 14-month-old boy from rural Maharashtra is brought to the clinic by his mother with poor weight gain. Birth weight was 3.2 kg; current weight is 7.8 kg (below 3rd percentile for age). Height is 72 cm (10th percentile). The child was exclusively breastfed until 6 months, then introduced to dilute rice water and thin porridge. On examination, he appears alert, with mild pallor and no hepatosplenomegaly. Developmental milestones are appropriate for age. Hemoglobin is 9.2 g/dL, serum albumin 3.1 g/dL, and stool examination is negative for ova and parasites. What is the most likely diagnosis?

An 8-month-old girl from urban Delhi is referred to pediatric outpatient clinic for poor weight gain. She was born at term with a birth weight of 3.5 kg and is now 6.2 kg (25th percentile). Length is 67 cm (50th percentile). The child was exclusively breastfed until 4 months. Mother reports that the infant has frequent loose stools (3–4 per day) and vomits occasionally after feeds. On examination, the child is playful and interactive, with no signs of dehydration. Anthropometric measurements show weight-for-length at 75% of expected, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is 13.5 cm. Hemoglobin is 10.8 g/dL. Serum albumin is 3.8 g/dL. What is the most likely underlying mechanism of failure to thrive in this child?

Which of the following is the most common cause of failure to thrive in infants in developing countries?

According to WHO criteria, a child is classified as having severe acute malnutrition (SAM) when the weight-for-height Z-score falls below which value?