الفهرس 
Introduction to Faltering growthOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The study included 100 cases of faltering growth diagnosed by detailed history, examination and Z-score (61 males and 39 females). Their ages varying between 2 months to 2 years during a period of 1st January to 31th December (one year study).
Faltering growth widely distributed among rural males especially in the first 2 years of life. Infants who were born prematurely especially those with low birth weight below 2500gm. and delivered by a cesarean section with a previous history of NICU admission were more liable for faltering growth. Infants born to a mother aged 18 -30 years old and whose birth order third child or more were more vulnerable for faltering growth.
Our results demonstrate that 90% of the studied cases complained of poor oral intake, 52% complained of vomiting, 43% complained of diarrhea, 54% of our studied cases complained of motor delay only, where as 12% complained of delay of motor and mental development (down syndrome and cerebral palsy) and 22% of our studied cases complained of cough and difficulty of breathing.
Deficient or insufficient intake accounts for the most common etiology of faltering growth that represented 60% of the studied cases, 48% of them had normal mentality and 12% had mental retardation. Gastroenteritis (represented 18% of the studied cases) was the second most common etiology of faltering growth. Malabsorption (represented 14% of the studied cases) was the third most common etiology of faltering growth either due to cow milk allergy (9%) or celiac disease (5%).
As regard breast feeding, about 30% of the infants received exclusive breast feeding either up to 6 months (which resembles 14%) or up to 2 years (which resembles 16%). As regard complementary feeding (70% of studied cases), 53 % of the cases start complementary feeding before the age of 6 months where as 17 % of the cases start it after the age of six months.
28 % of the weaned infants received formula feeding and fresh cow milk, 6% received breast feeding, fortified cereals and yoghurt and the remaining 36% received formula feeding + Fortified cereals and family food.
According to Z-score classification of our cases, all the three parameters (Weight for age), (height for age) and (weight for height) were significantly affected but with variable degree of significance in the severity both in mild and severe cases.
The study revealed that regarding demographic data in relation to severity of malnutrition, underweight and stunting in mild and moderate malnourished infants was more significant higher in the age of 1-2 years than those who were less than 1 year. However wasting was not significantly different in relation to age as it occurs in both ages. In addition, severe malnourished infants showed no significance in all the studied parameter in relation to age. Regarding sex, underweight, stunting and wasting were significant higher in mild and moderate malnourished males than females. Regarding residence, rural infants showed significant difference in mild, moderate and severe malnourished infants in all studied three parameters. The third child or more showed higher significant difference in mild and moderate malnourished infants in all three studied parameters. This was confirmed by our statistical analysis by logistic regression in weight for height (wasting). Regarding maternal age, mothers aged 18 -30 years old showed significant difference in mild and moderate malnourished infants in all three studied parameters. However severe malnourished infants showed significant difference in stunting and wasting. This confirmed by our statistical analysis by logistic regression in weight for age (underweight). Regarding duration of pregnancy, preterm infants showed significant difference in all three studied parameters in mild and moderate malnourished infants. However wasting in preterm infants was significant higher in severe malnourished infants. This was confirmed by our statistical analysis by logistic regression in height for age (stunting).