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Failure to Thrive
Expert Witness
I provide expert witness opinion in cases involving failure to thrive, faltering growth and paediatric nutrition concerns.
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These cases frequently arise in criminal proceedings, safeguarding investigations and family court proceedings where nutritional adequacy and growth patterns are in dispute.
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My role is to review clinical records, assess growth data and provide impartial opinion on whether a child’s nutritional care met expected standards.
What is a Failure to Thrive Expert Witness?
A failure to thrive expert witness is a specialist who assesses whether a child’s growth pattern and nutritional care were appropriate and whether inadequate nutrition contributed to poor growth or clinical harm.
This involves analysing growth charts, dietary intake, medical history and the clinical management of feeding concerns.
A failure to thrive expert witness is a specialist who assesses whether a child’s growth pattern and nutritional care were appropriate and whether inadequate nutrition contributed to poor growth or clinical harm.
This involves analysing growth charts, dietary intake, medical history and the clinical management of feeding concerns.
Typical Issues in Failure to Thrive Case
Failure to thrive litigation may involve questions such as:
Whether a child’s growth trajectory was normal
Whether faltering growth should have been recognised earlier
Whether nutritional intake was adequate
Whether appropriate feeding advice or intervention was provided
Whether organic disease or nutritional deprivation explains the growth pattern
Contexts Where Failure to Thrive Cases Arise
Safeguarding Investigations​
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Failure to thrive cases may arise in child protection investigations where nutritional adequacy is questioned.
Criminal proceedings
In some cases expert opinion is required to assess whether poor growth could indicate neglect or other harm.
Medical negligence cases
Failure to identify or treat faltering growth can lead to delayed treatment of underlying medical conditions.
Clinical Assessment in These Cases
Clinical Assessment in These Cases
Key evidence considered may include:
Weight and height growth charts
Nutritional intake records
Feeding behaviour observations
Medical history
Dietetic and paediatric assessments
Many hospital malnutrition cases also involve complex feeding decisions, which are discussed in more detail on my Hospital Malnutrition Expert Witness page.
Professional Background
I am a HCPC-registered dietitian with experience across hospital practice, private clinical nutrition and medico-legal reporting.
My work spans:
Hospital nutrition support
Paediatric and adult dietetics
Complex nutritional care
Expert witness reporting
My expert witness work is supported by formal medico-legal training and professional registration, including:
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC):
Registration Number DT25651
National Register of University Certified Expert Witnesses
National Expert Witness Association
UK Register of Expert Witnesses
My reports are prepared in accordance with the relevant court requirements including CPR Part 35.
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