Maternal deprivation syndrome

Alternative names:

nonorganic failure to thrive

Symptoms:

• index of suspicion raised by environmental situations including:
  • young age of parent/s (teenage parents)
  • unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
  • lower levels of education (especially failure to complete high school)
  • lower socioeconomic status
  • absence of father
  • absence of support group (family, close friends, etc.)
  • mental illness

• inadequate weight gain
• decreased or absent linear growth
• lack of appropriate hygiene
• subtle to blatant abnormalities in maternal/infant interaction

Signs and tests:

Diagnosis of FTT can often be made by simply admitting the infant to the hospital where, with adequate feeding and care, weight gain and resumed growth can be demonstrated in a matter of days (often as little as 3 or 4 days may demonstrate renewed weight gain). Other studies may be indicated based on the physical examination and history.