Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
[Morbidity in Prematurity Associated with Fetal Growth Restriction: Experience of a Tertiary Care Center]
Noémia Rosado Silva1, Joana Oliveira2, Alberto Berenguer3
1Serviço de Pediatria. Unidade de Faro. Centro Hospitalar do Algarve. Faro.
Insights
Small for gestational age newborns experience higher morbidity rates, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and sepsis, compared to those with fetal growth restriction. Early intervention and collaboration are crucial for improving outcomes in growth-compromised infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Perinatology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Prematurity and low birth weight are linked to increased neonatal morbidity and mortality.
- Fetal growth restriction and being small for gestational age are significant concerns in neonatal care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate risk factors for prematurity in infants with fetal growth restriction and small for gestational age.
- To determine the incidence of morbidity in these two groups of infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study of newborns (gestational age < 32 weeks).
- Inclusion criteria: obstetric diagnosis of fetal growth restriction or clinical diagnosis of small for gestational age.
- Data collected over six years from a tertiary hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Main Results:
- Incidence rates: 11% for fetal growth restriction, 18% for small for gestational age.
- Pre-eclampsia was a significant risk factor for small for gestational age newborns (47% vs 16%, p < 0.001).
- Higher morbidity in small for gestational age infants: bronchopulmonary dysplasia (66%), late sepsis (59%), retinopathy of prematurity (58%), necrotizing enterocolitis (20%).
Conclusions:
- Small for gestational age newborns exhibit higher morbidity than those with fetal growth restriction.
- Collaboration between obstetricians and neonatologists is vital for early detection and intervention.
- Improved neonatal care has reduced mortality, but morbidity differences persist in growth-compromised infants.
Introduction:
Prematurity and low birth weight have been associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate possible risk factors for prematurity associated with fetal growth restriction and being small for gestational age and to determine the incidence of morbidity in these two groups of infants.
Material And Methods:
Retrospective case-control study of newborns with gestational age of less than 32 weeks, with obstetric diagnosis of fetal growth restriction and with the clinical diagnosis of small for gestational age, admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital for a period of six years.
Results:
A total of 356 newborns were studied, with an incidence of 11% of fetal growth restriction and 18% of small for gestational age. Pre-eclampsia was the risk factor for gestation with higher statistical significance (47% vs 16%, p < 0.001) in small for gestational age newborns. There was also a higher incidence of mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia (66% vs 38%, p = 0.005), late sepsis (59% vs 37%, p = 0.003), retinopathy of prematurity (58% vs 26%, p = 0.003) and necrotizing enterocolitis (20% vs 9%, p = 0.005). Mortality was similar in all three groups.
Discussion:
There were fewer newborn males diagnosed with fetal growth restriction during pregnancy compared to women. Significant differences were observed in the group of these infants regarding the occurrence of chorioamnionitis and pre-eclampsia in comparison to the control group. Newborns with fetal growth restriction and small for age had higher scores on clinical risk indices compared to the control group. In general, small for gestational age newborns had a higher incidence of morbidity than infants with fetal growth restriction and the control group.
Conclusion:
Advances in neonatal intensive care decreased mortality in preterm infants. However, there are still significant differences in the incidence of morbidity in newborns with growth compromise. The collaboration between obstetricians and neonatologists provides the basis for a correct clinical evaluation, early signaling and global intervention on these newborns, with a significant impact on short and long-term prognosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Patient-centered Care
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
01:21Tertiary Healthcare System
01:12Nomenclature of Secondary and Tertiary Amines
02:33Lattice Centering and Coordination Number
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...