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Intrauterine growth restriction - part 2
Deepak Sharma1, Nazanin Farahbakhsh2, Sweta Shastri3
1a Department of Pediatrics , Pt B.D. Sharma, Post Graduate Institute of Medical and Sciences , Rohtak , Haryana , India .
Insights
Small for gestational age (SGA) infants and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) face significant health challenges. This review covers their classification, diagnosis, and complications, highlighting increased neonatal mortality and morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Growth and Development
Background:
- Small for gestational age (SGA) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are associated with increased perinatal and neonatal mortality.
- SGA infants experience higher rates of complications like asphyxia, hypothermia, and hypoglycemia compared to appropriate for gestational age infants.
- These infants also face growth retardation and neurodevelopmental handicaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the classification and diagnosis of neonatal IUGR.
- To discuss the short-term and long-term complications in infants with IUGR.
- To provide an overview of the challenges faced by SGA/IUGR infants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on SGA and IUGR definitions and outcomes.
- Analysis of neonatal classification and diagnostic criteria for IUGR.
- Synthesis of data on perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with SGA/IUGR.
Main Results:
- SGA/IUGR infants exhibit higher rates of adverse neonatal outcomes.
- Despite technological advancements, perinatal morbidity and mortality remain elevated.
- The review details various complications and neurodevelopmental issues.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal IUGR classification and diagnosis are crucial for management.
- Understanding short-term and long-term complications is vital for improving infant outcomes.
- Continued research and improved clinical practices are needed to reduce SGA/IUGR-related morbidity and mortality.
Abstract:
Small for gestational age (SGA) infants have been classically defined as having birth weight less than two standard deviations below the mean or less than the 10th percentile of a population-specific birth weight for specific gestational age, whereas intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been defined as a rate of foetal growth that is less than normal for the population and for the growth potential of a specific infant. SGA infants have more frequent problems such as perinatal asphyxia, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, polycythaemia and many more when compared with their appropriate for gestational age counterpart. They too have growth retardation and various major and subtle neurodevelopmental handicaps, with higher rates of perinatal and neonatal mortality. With the advent of newer technologies, even though the perinatal diagnosis of these SGA/IUGR foetuses has increased, but still perinatal morbidity and mortality rates are higher than normal foetuses and infants. In this part, we have covered neonatal IUGR classification, postnatal diagnosis, short-term and long-term complications faced by these IUGR infants.
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