IUGR Pregnancy: IUGR causes and how it affects your baby. (2023)

What is IUGR?

Babies are diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) when they look smaller than expected. This would happen if aultrasoundindicates that the baby's weight is below the 10th percentile for her gestational age (weeks of gestation). Also called fetal growth restriction (FGR).

There are many reasons why a baby looks small. In many cases, a baby diagnosed with IUGR is small (perhaps just like one of its parents). And sometimes a baby that appears small in the womb at birth turns out to be a normal size. But in some cases, something is preventing the baby from growing properly, and the prenatal care provider will try to find out if there is a problem and what it is.

How will my caregiver know my baby's size?

Your caregiver will assess the size of your uterus during pregnancypelvic examination in the first trimester. She then checks the baby's growth by measuring her belly each timeprenatal visit. If the measurement (fundus height) is less than the due date, it means that it should be (it will be "small for dates"), will do an ultrasound to determine the size and weight of the baby.

You may measure slightly because your due date (based on your last period) is wrong. This can happen if you misremembered the first day of your last period or if you ovulated later than usual during your last cycle. Your doctor will review your first ultrasound (which can be used to determine the date of pregnancy) and the date of your period. If they are consistent and your baby's measurements are less than the 10th percentile for gestational age, your baby will be diagnosed with IUGR.

Fetal growth retardation: what causes it?

Apart from the small parent, these are the most common causes of IUGR:

• Abnormalities in the umbilical cord or placenta, the organ that supplies the baby with oxygen and nutrients in the womb. The placenta may not work properly if it is too small, irregularly shaped, or separates from the uterus (placental abruption). Placenta too low in the uterus (the previous cake) may slightly increase the risk of IUGR.
• Medical conditions you may have, such aschronic hypertensionfrompreeclampsia(especially if preeclampsia is severe and diagnosed in the second trimester or if you have chronic hypertension and preeclampsia), kidney or heart disease, certain types of anemia (such as sickle cell anemia), advanced diabetes, blood clotting disorders, autoimmune immune diseases, antiphospholipid syndrome or severe lung disease.
• Chromosomal abnormalities, such asDown syndromeor structural birth defects such as anencephaly (where part of the brain is missing) or abnormalities of the kidneys or abdominal wall.
• Loadingtwins or multiple multiples.
• Crow,drinks, or drug abuse.
• Certain infections that your baby may have contracted from you, such astoxoplasmosis,CMV,syphilis, fromround dog.
• Certain medications, such as some anticonvulsants.
• Severe malnutrition.

Furthermore, women who areunder weightbefore pregnancy and not gaining enough weight during pregnancy, and women living at very high altitudes are more likely to have slightly smaller babies.

If you have any of the above conditions, you will get an ultrasound to monitor your baby's growth, even if your abdominal measurements are normal at prenatal exams.

Even if you ever have onestillbirthor an IUGR baby, you can expect at least one ultrasound in the late second or early third trimester to check the baby's growth.

How will this condition affect my IUGR baby?

Babies diagnosed with IUGR are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy, during delivery and afterwards. The degree of risk depends on the cause of the growth problem, the severity of the growth restriction, the onset of pregnancy and the gestational age of the child at birth.

Research shows that babies whose weight is below the 10th percentile are more likely to have problems than babies who are at or above the 10th percentile. And the risk of short-term and long-term complications is higher for babies who are also born with growth restrictions.prematurely.

Babies with growth retardation have an increased risk of:

• have…section cchildbirth, because they have a harder time enduring labor
• Having an abnormally high red blood cell count at birth
• Low blood sugar, lower resistance to infections and difficulty maintaining body temperature after birth
• Jaundice
• Meconium aspiration (when the baby inhales its own stool in the womb or during delivery).
• Being stillborn, due to lower levels of oxygen and nutrients in the womb

Will my baby have long-term effects from IUGR?

How a stunted baby fares in the long term depends in part on the cause of the growth problem. Most stunted babies who are normal eventually catch up to their peers, although some - especially premature babies - have developmental problems. For example, IUGR is associated with cerebral palsy.

Finally, some research suggests that stunted babies are more likely to become obese and develop heart disease, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure later in life.

What happens during pregnancy if my baby has IUGR?

First, you'll get a detailed ultrasound, in part to check the baby's anatomy and see if it has any structural defects that could be responsible for its stunted growth. Maybe you have it tooamniocentesisto check for chromosomal abnormalities, especially if structural defects are found by ultrasound or if growth restriction appears severe or is found early in pregnancy.

Depending on your situation, your caregiver may suggest blood tests or amniocentesis to see if an infection is the cause. And you will be closely watched for signs of preeclampsia.

Regardless of the cause of IUGR, you will have regular, usually weekly, ultrasounds to check your baby's size and growth rate since the last ultrasound and to assess the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus. Your baby will also be monitoredstress-free testing,biophysical profiles, eDoppler ultrasound(to check blood flow to and from your baby).

Your carer may also ask you to do thisnumber of strokesto guide youbaby movements. This is a good way to monitor your baby's well-being between prenatal visits.

The time of delivery depends on how you and your baby are doing. For uncomplicated IUGR, delivery is the term. But if your baby is sick or very sick - with severepreeclampsia, for example – you may need to deliver early.

Is there anything I can do to help my baby diagnosed with IUGR?

First, remember that IUGR is not your fault and you probably didn't do anything to cause it. From now on:

Some health care providers prescribe medicationsstillness, but there is no evidence that it helps. In fact, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not recommend resting before IUGR because it can cause harm—including blood clots, weakening of bones, and evendepression- to no avail.

• Make sure you have all yoursappointments for prenatal and fetal examinations.
• If you planned to give birth in a small community hospital, you may need to be transferred to a larger hospital with aneonatal intensive care unit (NICU)which can better solve all problems.
• If you smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs, we advise you to stop these activities if you have not already done so. (Don't be shy about asking your caregiver to refer you to a resource.)