الفهرس 
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Abstract
Background : One of the major global health problem faced by the developing countries is malnutrition that can be considered the primary cause of increased morbidity and mortality among children .Failure to Thrive (FTT) is a sign that describes a particular problem rather than a diagnosis. The term is used to describe instances of growth failure or more specifically failure to gain weight appropriately. In more severe cases, linear growth and head circumference also may be affected. Although a wide variety of medical and psychosocial stressors can contribute to FTT, the underlying cause is always insufficient usable nutrition. The aim of the work: The aim of this study is to spot light on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of failure to thrive among infants which might be guide for pediatrician for early detection and management of faltering of growth in infancy stage. Type of study : a retrospective descriptive study. Materials and Methods: Recorded data of infants with failure to thrive defined as infants whose weight below the third percentile for the same age and sex on the growth chart and aged up to 2 years who where admitted in Mansoura University Children’s Hospital in the period between 2002 to 2012. Recorded data of sheets of infants enrolled in the study were reviewed and tabulated according to the following : Demographic data - History - Physical examination - Anthropometric measurements -Laboratory tests - Radiological assessment tools - Provisional and final diagnosis. Results : there were 237 infants, were enrolled from records with mean age 15.49 ± 5.55 months, 52.3 % females, 60.3 % rural residence and 68.8% low socio-economic status. Among studied mother; 51.9 % primary education, 34.2 % secondary and higher education and 13.9 % illiterate. The most common diagnosis of the studied cases were 28.3 % nutritional deficiency, 67.1 % organic causes of FTT, 28.3% due to malnutrition causes and 4.6% of unknown causes. Conclusion : The study results revealed that FTT was more prevalent in female, rural residence, low socioeconomic level, middle age mothers, low educated and house wife mothers, full term infants, mixed breast and artificial milk feeding and cesserian section deliveries. The causes of FTT in the studied population were 28.3% nutritional deficiency, 67.1% organic causes of FTT, 28.3% due to malnutrition causes and 4.6 % of unknown causes. Recommendations : Regular and repeated assessment of nutritional status should be done as a routine part of physical examination for early diagnosis and management of growth faltering in infants. Parents should be instructed about healthy food and daily adequate intake through different methods including health care givers, schools and media. Further studies about the magnitude of the problem of failure to thrive in Egypt are needed especially for those without definite diagnosis.