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Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
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Intrauterine growth restriction and congenital malformations: a retrospective epidemiological study

Giuseppe Puccio1, Mario Giuffré, Maria Piccione

  • 1Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy. gipuccio@gmail.com

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|April 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Small for gestational age (SGA) birth is not a reliable indicator of congenital malformations. However, a low ponderal index (PI) in newborns may signal a higher risk of malformations, suggesting its utility in neonatal screening.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Clinical Genetics

Background:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and small for gestational age (SGA) are potential indicators of congenital malformations.
  • Previous studies suggested a link between birth weight deviations and malformations.
  • The role of auxological parameters, like ponderal index (PI), requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between SGA birth and malformations in newborns.
  • To assess the association of epidemiological factors (maternal smoking, pregnancy diseases) with SGA and malformations.
  • To determine the predictive value of ponderal index (PI) for malformations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of birth data from 1093 infants categorized as SGA, appropriate for gestational age (AGA), or large for gestational age (LGA).
  • Prevalence of malformations assessed against birth weight percentile, SGA status, maternal smoking, pregnancy diseases, and PI.
  • PI analyzed as a continuous and categorical variable (cutoff < 2.4).

Main Results:

  • No significant association found between SGA birth and the prevalence of malformations.
  • Maternal smoking and pregnancy diseases were strongly linked to SGA but not to increased malformation rates.
  • A significant relationship was observed between a low ponderal index (PI < 2.4) and a higher prevalence of malformations.

Conclusions:

  • The association between congenital malformations and birth weight for gestational age is weak.
  • Ponderal index (PI) shows potential as a more effective predictor of malformation risk in neonates compared to weight percentile.
  • PI may serve as a valuable tool in neonatal screening for congenital anomalies.
Abstract

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