What types of tests can be done on a 17 month old to see why they have failed to thrive. my grandson was born average weight and healthy. he has only gained a couple of pounds a month, if that. he has had stomach aches and constripation most of his life

"Failure : "failure to thrive" is the term used when a child does not grow as expected as compared with other children his age. There are many many reasons for this that doctors start looking into when they notice a problem. A few of these are: - gastrointestinal problems like gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease), chronic diarrhea, cystic fibrosis, liver disease and celiac disease. - chronic illness or disorder like cardiac disease, lung disease, kidney disease or an anatomical problem such as a cleft lip causing the child to have difficulty eating - milk protein intolerance - infections such as parasites, tuberculosis, or hiv - metabolic problems - social problems such as neglect, poverty, malnutrition usually a good history and physical exam will allow the doctor to narrow down the possible causes and to know what testing to do. Since your child's doctor did recommend a specialist, it does sound as though they are taking your concerns seriously. Legal disclaimer: I am providing this general and basic information as a public service and my response to this question does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. For any additional information, advice, or specific concerns, please speak with your own physician. The information provided is current as of the date of the answer entry.

Many tests: Of the most important is any metabolic abnormality( Amino Acid deficiency, enzyme deficiency) any anatomical abnormalities( brain, heart , gastrointestinal) , your pediatric specialist can give you the specifics.