Causes, Risk Factors, And Complications Of Giardiasis

Failure To Thrive

The chronic diarrhea that may occur with giardiasis could lead to malnutrition in children, and this might make it difficult for a child to maintain a healthy weight and normal growth development. Doctors refer to this as failure to thrive. Infants and children with failure to thrive might not reach developmental milestones such as sitting and walking at the expected ages. To diagnose failure to thrive, doctors obtain height and weight measurements for the patient over the course of at least six months to one year. In the case of possible parasitic infections like giardiasis, doctors may want to do blood tests to check for these conditions. To help in the diagnosis, parents who believe their child's condition might be caused by a parasite should mention any international travel, contact with untreated or unsafe drinking water, and visits to pools or water parks. If medical staff determine the patient is exhibiting failure to thrive, they will work with parents to improve the child's caloric intake and address other possible feeding issues.

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