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Small for gestational age babies: Indian scene
A Narang1, M K Chaudhuri, P Kumar
1Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
Insights
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a key factor in neonatal health. This study found idiopathic IUGR was the most common cause of small for gestational age (SGA) babies in India, with better survival rates than in Western countries.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) significantly impacts neonatal mortality, morbidity, and neurological outcomes.
- Small for gestational age (SGA) babies represent a vulnerable population requiring careful evaluation of perinatal risk factors and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of perinatal risk factors contributing to SGA.
- To assess the neonatal outcomes of SGA babies in a specific cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 103 SGA babies over one year.
- Data collection on birth weight, gestational age, maternal conditions, and neonatal complications.
Main Results:
- SGA prevalence was 3.53%, with a mean birth weight of 1657 gm.
- Common maternal conditions included toxemia (30.09%) and hypertensive diseases (5.8%).
- Idiopathic IUGR was the most frequent cause (56.3%), followed by infections, birth asphyxia, polycythemia, jaundice, and hypoglycemia.
Conclusions:
- Idiopathic IUGR is the primary cause of SGA in Indian neonates.
- SGA neonates experienced significant neonatal problems (58.3%) but demonstrated better survival rates compared to Western counterparts.
Abstract:
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is an important determinant of neonatal mortality, morbidity and poor neurologic outcome. The study was aimed to evaluate the magnitude of perinatal risk factors in causation and the neonatal outcome of small for gestational age (SGA) babies. One hundred and three SGA babies born over a period of one year were retrospectively analysed during their hospital stay. 3.53 per cent of the babies were SGA with mean birth weight of 1657 +/- SD 354 gm (range 600-2200 gm). 68.9 per cent were term babies and 51.5 per cent were females. Toxemia of pregnancy (30.09%), hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP) excluding toxemia (5.8%), diabetes mellitus (1.94%), medical disorders including renal and cardiac (3.88%), anemia (Hb < 8 gm%) and IU infection (0.97%) were the main conditions responsible for SGA. In 56.3% pregnancies, no cause could be ascertained. The common perinatal problems were infections in 27 (26.2%), birth asphyxia in 22 (21.36%), polycythemia in 25 (24.3%), jaundice in 22 (21.36%) and hypoglycemia in 7 (6.8%). Congenital malformations in 2 (1.94%) and Hyaline membrane disease in 1 (0.97%) were uncommon problems. 5.8 per cent babies died due to various perinatal problems. Based on these findings it was concluded that idiopathic (? Constitutional) intrauterine growth retardation was the commonest cause of SGA in Indian babies. 58.3 per cent babies had neonatal problems and they had a better survival compared to their western counterparts.