An 8-month-old girl is brought to the office for evaluation of inadequate weight gain. Her mother reports the infant is breastfed on demand but seems uninterested in feeding and often falls asleep after a few minutes. The family recently moved and the mother admits to feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Birth weight was 3.2 kg (50th percentile). Current weight is 6.0 kg (below 5th percentile for age). Physical examination shows a thin infant with decreased subcutaneous fat but no edema, organomegaly, or dysmorphic features. She is alert but does not smile readily. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial evaluation approach? Evaluation Component Specific Elements Priority History Feeding schedule, intake volume, formula preparation, caregiver stress, food insecurity High Physical Exam Signs of chronic disease (cardiac murmur, hepatomegaly), skin changes, developmental assessment High Initial Labs CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, urinalysis, thyroid function Medium Specialized Testing Sweat chloride, celiac panel, imaging studies Low (if above unrevealing)
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AImmediate laboratory evaluation including CBC, metabolic panel, and thyroid studies
BReferral to pediatric gastroenterology for endoscopy and specialized testing
CFocus exclusively on organic causes with cardiac evaluation and sweat chloride test
DSchedule follow-up in 2 weeks to reassess weight before initiating any workup
EComprehensive feeding history and psychosocial assessment before laboratory testing
✓ Correct answer: E. Comprehensive feeding history and psychosocial assessment before laboratory testingMost failure to thrive cases result from inadequate caloric intake due to psychosocial factors (food insecurity, caregiver depression, feeding problems) rather than organic disease. Initial evaluation should focus on detailed feeding history, observation of feeding, and assessment of psychosocial stressors before extensive laboratory workup. The mother's report of feeling overwhelmed and the infant's disinterest in feeding suggest psychosocial contributors. Distractor1 is premature without history. Distractor2 represents overly aggressive testing. Distractor3 misses psychosocial factors. Distractor4 delays necessary nutritional intervention.
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