Renata Szépeová
One of the main tasks is diagnosing paediatric growth and developmental problems in infants and children. Failure to thrive is not a diagnosis, but a set of symptoms. It is used in describing the lack of weight gain and growth in the first years of life. Typically it is described in infants and children younger than two years old, falling behind expected growth. Various organic and /or inorganic causes lead to poor thriving. They often overlap and cannot be always separated. According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of underachievement in population is estimated at 1.3 % and 20.9 %, depending on the definition of underachievement. The severity of underachievement in infant and toddler age is related to the risk, which is incorrect or inadequate nutrition. It represents a source of potential future health problems in later childhood or adulthood. A lack of quality protein and the current lack of energy intake induce deep, in other age period unknown changes of the body. Nutritional therapy along with treatment of the underlying disease is the base for treatment of underachievement. It has to ensure correction of nutritional deficits, restore optimal body composition and above all it should lead to the achievement of growth and weight gains (catch-up).