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Children born small for gestational age (SGA)

A Jancevska1, V Tasic, N Damcevski

  • 1Medical Faculty Skopje, R. Macedonia.

Prilozi
|February 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns face significant health risks and may experience long-term growth issues. Growth hormone treatment is considered for SGA children over 4 years old who don't achieve catch-up growth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Small for gestational age (SGA) describes newborns with birth weight and/or length below two standard deviations for their gestational age and sex.
  • Approximately 5% of newborns are classified as SGA, with diverse causative factors including maternal, placental, fetal, metabolic, and genetic origins.
  • SGA infants are susceptible to immediate neonatal complications such as hypoglycemia, hypercoagulability, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the risks and long-term implications associated with being small for gestational age.
  • To identify potential interventions for SGA children experiencing growth failure.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on SGA definitions, causes, neonatal risks, and long-term outcomes.
  • Analysis of criteria for considering growth hormone (GH) treatment in SGA children.

Main Results:

  • SGA children face increased risks of neonatal morbidities and may not achieve spontaneous catch-up growth.
  • Around 10% of SGA children remain short into adulthood, exhibiting a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.
  • SGA children over 4 years old with persistent short stature (height ≥ -2.5 SDS) and no catch-up growth are candidates for GH therapy.

Conclusions:

  • SGA is a significant condition with potential for severe neonatal complications and lasting health consequences.
  • Early identification and intervention, including growth hormone therapy for eligible children, are crucial for managing SGA outcomes.

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