What should a healthcare provider do if a child exhibits poor weight gain at home but thrives in the hospital?

When a child shows poor weight gain outside the hospital environment but thrives while hospitalized, it raises significant concerns about possible external factors affecting the child's nutrition and well-being at home. Investigating for potential non-accidental injury becomes crucial because it suggests that there might be underlying issues related to neglect or abuse that could be impacting the child’s health. Non-accidental injury can manifest in various forms, and being vigilant to these possibilities is essential in pediatrics, especially when a child's growth patterns are inconsistent.

The situation indicates that while the hospital setting may provide adequate care, there could be barriers at home that need to be addressed to ensure the child’s safety and to allow for proper nutritional intake. Identifying and addressing any risk factors, including non-accidental injury, can lead to necessary interventions and support for both the child and the family, fostering a healthier home environment that could promote better growth outcomes.

Other options like advising parents to improve nutrition or referring to a nutritionist may not directly address the underlying influencer of the child’s poor weight gain when they are in a familiar home environment. Increasing hospital feeding intervention focuses on the temporary solution rather than understanding the root concern that needs to be resolved for the child's long-term health and safety.