Maternal deprivation syndrome

Alternative names:

nonorganic failure to thrive

Definition:

Failure to thrive caused by neglect (intentional or unintentional).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The majority of cases of failure to thrive (FTT) in infants and young children (under 2 years old) are not caused by disease. Approximately two-thirds of all cases are caused by neglect or ignorance concerning feeding and proper care.

Failure to thrive in children less than 2 years old is defined as failure to gain adequate weight, failure of linear growth, and failure to achieve some or all developmental milestones. The health care provider may see inappropriate (lacking or absent) hygiene, inappropriate clothing, and general lack of care. Although the mother may appear concerned the interplay and physical contact normally seen between mother and infant may be absent or distorted.

Factors that contribute to nonorganic failure to thrive include:

• young age of parent (teenage parents)
• unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
• lower levels of education (especially failure to complete high school)
• lower socioeconomic status
• absence of the father
• absence of a support group (family, close friends, or other support)
• mental illness