A clinician sees a 4-year-old in the 5th percentile for weight with a 3-month history of extremely restrictive intake limited to a small set of low-iron, low-calcium foods. According to the lesson’s referral criteria, what is the most appropriate next step?

• A. Recommend discontinuation of all previously accepted foods and start a single-food elimination diet for two weeks to identify the preferred nutrient source before any professional consultation.
• B. Advise parents to continue home-based repeated exposure for another 6 months without referral because most problems resolve spontaneously and professional involvement is rarely necessary.
• C. Refer for professional evaluation (pediatrician or dietitian) promptly because the restrictive intake is prolonged, growth is low, and there is risk for nutritional deficiency—these meet criteria for expert assessment.
• D. Immediately prescribe an adult multivitamin at triple dose without assessing growth or dietary intake because supplements resolve all nutritional concerns regardless of underlying cause.

Answer: (C)