Three to five per cent of children fail to thrive. Without early intervention this can lead to serious growth failure and delayed psychomotor development.

Such children typically present difficulties with feeding and sleeping, as well as other behavioural problems. Failure to grow can also involve attachment disorders, emotional maltreatment, neglect, and abuse.

Dorota Iwaniec has carried out the longest ever study on failure to thrive, following up on 198 clinical cases after a 20-year period. This extensive practical guide includes:

• numerous checklists and other instruments for use in assessments
• four chapters on intervention and treatments, with a particular focus on multidisciplinary approaches
• a comprehensive literature review alongside original research data
• case studies drawn from the author's lengthy clinical experience

This book is essential reading for social workers, health visitors, nurses, pediatricians, psychologists and child care workers.