FAQ: What does the new "faltering weight" guideline mean for your practice?
A new AAP/NASPGHAN guideline replaces "failure to thrive" with "faltering weight" and adopts z-score–based diagnostic criteria in place of percentiles.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the NASPGHAN (North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) have published a new clinical practice guideline that replaces the term “failure to thrive” with “faltering weight,” along with updated, z-score–based diagnostic criteria and 8 key action statements to guide evaluation and treatment.¹ The organizations developed the guideline using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, and it reflects work conducted by a multidisciplinary panel between 2021 and 2024, including pediatric gastroenterologists, a dietitian, a psychologist, a social worker, and a parent/caregiver liaison.¹