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Updated: May 30, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Latin American consensus: children born small for gestational age
Margaret C S Boguszewski1, Veronica Mericq, Ignacio Bergada
1Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. margabogus@uol.com.br
BMC Pediatrics
|July 21, 2011
Summary
Children born small for gestational age (SGA) require careful monitoring and management. Latin American experts developed consensus guidelines for evaluating and treating SGA, emphasizing country-specific standards and multidisciplinary care for optimal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Neonatalogy
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Children born small for gestational age (SGA) face increased morbidity and mortality risks.
- Effective identification and management of SGA children is a significant concern in Latin America.
- Pediatric endocrinology experts convened to address challenges in SGA evaluation and management.
Framework:
- SGA is defined by birth weight/length more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for gestational age.
- Latin American countries should develop region-specific SGA growth standards.
- Standardized evaluations every 3-6 months are recommended for SGA children.
Implementation:
- Further evaluation is needed for SGA children without catch-up growth within 6 months or those with weight ≤ -2 SD at age 2.
- Growth hormone therapy may be initiated for SGA children over 2 years with short stature (< -2.0 SD) and low growth velocity.
- Annual monitoring of blood glucose, thyroid function, HbA1c, IGF-1, and insulin sensitivity is essential.
Implications:
- A multidisciplinary team approach is vital for managing SGA children.
- Approximately 10-15% of SGA children may require ongoing intervention, potentially including growth hormone treatment.
- Developing country-specific guidelines is paramount for consistent SGA care in Latin America.
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