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Updated: May 6, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
[Long-term outcome in context of intra uterine growth restriction and/or small for gestational age newborns]
1Service de réanimation et médecine néonatales, pôle femme-mère-enfant, CHU Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49933 Angers cedex 9, France.
Insights
Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) or with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) face higher risks of cognitive issues and metabolic syndrome. However, prematurity appears to have a greater impact on long-term outcomes than SGA or IUGR alone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and being born small for gestational age (SGA) are significant concerns in neonatal care.
- Long-term neurodevelopmental and metabolic outcomes for these infants require thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the long-term outcomes for infants with a history of IUGR and/or SGA.
- To identify associated risks and developmental trajectories.
Main Methods:
- A systematic evidence review was conducted.
- Databases searched included PubMed and the Cochrane Library.
- Expert recommendations were also incorporated.
Main Results:
- Infants born SGA exhibit increased risks of cognitive deficiencies, attention disorders, and academic difficulties.
- These individuals are also at higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome in adulthood.
- While most infants achieve catch-up growth in weight by 6 months and height by 12 months, prematurity shows a more pronounced effect on long-term outcomes than IUGR/SGA alone.
Conclusions:
- Infants born SGA and/or with IUGR history are predisposed to cognitive and academic challenges, alongside an elevated risk of adult metabolic syndrome.
- Prematurity significantly influences long-term outcomes, potentially more so than IUGR or SGA status.
Objective:
To evaluate long-term outcome after history of intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and/or birth small for gestational age (SGA).
Methods:
This systematic evidence review is based on Pubmed search, Cochrane library and experts recommendations.
Results:
Neurodevelopmental evaluation at 2 years is lower in those infants, born premature or not. SGA is associated with a high risk of minor cognitive deficiencies, hyperactivity or attention deficit disorders at 5 years or scholar difficulties at 8 years. Those infants are at high risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Most of them will catch up at 6 months for weight and 12 months for height. Even if IUGR is associated with high risk of bronchodysplasia, up to this day, the review of literature did not permit to evaluate respiratory outcome. Adults born SGA have good quality of live and normal professional insertion. One cohort study and more and more animal studies suggest potential trans generational effects.
Conclusion:
Infants born SGA and/or with history of IUGR are at high risk of minor cognitive deficiencies and scholar difficulties. They are also at high risk of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. However, prematurity seems to have a higher effect than IUGR and/or SGA on long-term outcomes.
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