Reframing Neglect: Prioritizing a Child's Best Interest – A Case Report

In the paediatric field, the term neglect is often considered sensitive and carries significant stigma, making it a challenging topic to address openly. Despite its importance in safeguarding a child’s welfare, there can be hesitation in using this term due to its potential to evoke feelings of blame or guilt among caregivers and healthcare providers alike. We present a case of a 6-year-old boy who was evaluated for faltering growth, initially attributed to picky eating. During assessments, both parents were unable to provide details about the child's eating habits and developmental progress, raising concerns about inadequate parental involvement and potential medical neglect. These concerns led to the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to manage the child's needs. Ultimately, this collaborative effort resulted in improvements in the child's growth and school performance.