Failure to thrive is a condition commonly observed by primary care physicians. It may be caused by medical problems or factors in the child's environment, such as child abuse or neglect. It is often defined as a weight-for-age value that falls below the fifth percentile on multiple occasions or weight deceleration that crosses 2 major percentile lines on a growth chart. Diencephalic syndrome is a rare but potentially lethal cause of failure to thrive in infants and young children that should be familiar to every practitioner who cares for young children region.
This syndrome is characterized by profound emaciation, despite a normal or slightly diminished calorie intake. Linear growth is usually maintained. Other features include hyper-alertness, hyperkinesia, euphoria, nystagmus, hydrocephalus, visual field defects, optic pallor, emesis, and vomiting. The onset of clinical symptoms is…
