
What is the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical IUGR?
Symmetrical IUGR, in which a baby's body is proportionally small (meaning all parts of the baby's body are similarly small in size). Asymmetrical IUGR, which is when the baby has a normal-size head and brain but the rest of the body is small.
Why are infants with symmetrical IUGR underdeveloped?
Infants with symmetrical IUGR because of less cell numbers at birth are underdeveloped postnatally and usually remain small throughout their lives.
What does IUGR stand for?
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR); Small For Gestational Age (SGA) The most common definition of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a fetal weight that is below the 10th percentile for gestational age as determined through an ultrasound.
What is the difference between IUGR and SGA?
SGA is when a baby’s weight is under the 10th percentile for the gestational age or a baby who is smaller than is typical after delivery. SGA is commonly used interchangeably with IUGR, but there are differences between the two conditions.

What causes symmetrical IUGR?
Symmetrical IUGR is less common (∼ 30%) and is usually due to a genetic disorder (e.g., aneuploidy), congenital heart disease, or early intrauterine TORCH infection that affects the fetus early in gestation.
Is asymmetrical or symmetrical IUGR worse?
The Mean birth weight of Asymmetric IUGR cases was less and had higher perinatal mortality (13%) than Symmetric IUGR cases.
What does symmetrical growth mean?
Symmetric growth restriction implies a fetus whose entire body is proportionally small. Asymmetric growth restriction implies a fetus who is undernourished and is directing most of its energy to maintaining growth of vital organs, such as the brain and heart, at the expense of the liver, muscle and fat.
Can babies with IUGR be normal?
It's important to know that IUGR only means slowed growing. These small babies aren't mentally slow or retarded. Most small babies grow up to be healthy children and adults.
When should a baby with IUGR be delivered?
The following are guidelines for delivering babies with IUGR: Baby has IUGR and no other complicating conditions: Baby should be delivered at 38-39 weeks.
Does bed rest help with IUGR?
Once IUGR is diagnosed, various treatments such as bed rest, increased or supplemental food intake to increase the baby's weight, and treatment of any medical condition, may be recommended. Bed rest may improve circulation to the baby in some cases, though evidence is weak.
When is IUGR considered severe?
Moderate: Birth weight from third to tenth percentile. Severe: Birth weight less than the third percentile.
What is the most common cause of IUGR?
Chronic hypertension is the most common cause of IUGR. Moreover, the infants of hypertensive mothers have a three-fold increase in perinatal mortality compared with infants with IUGR who are born of normotensive mothers.
Do all IUGR babies need NICU?
Treatment After Birth Treatment at birth varies depending on the cause of IUGR, including the presence of any associated birth defects or genetic conditions, and the gestational age at delivery. In severe cases, IUGR babies may require lengthy stays in the NICU and the highest level of respiratory support.
Do symmetrical IUGR babies catch up?
However, research has found that about 10% of IUGR/SGA babies do not catch up in growth and remain small through adulthood, and these children can also face additional long-term health risks due to their intrauterine growth restriction.
How fast do IUGR babies gain weight?
The IUGR babies of idiopathic group showed a spurt in weight gain around 3 to 6 months and a similar spurt for crown heel length and head circumference was observed between 6 to 9 months of age.
How many days IUGR babies stay in NICU?
The average length of stay on the neonatal intensive care unit was significantly higher for babies who were IUGR at birth (12.5 days) than those who were not IUGR (8.2 days); p<0.01.
Can IUGR babies be normal?
Mild IUGR usually doesn't cause long-term problems. In fact, most babies with IUGR catch up in height and weight by age 2. But if severe, IUGR can seriously harm a baby before and after birth. The extent of the health problems depends upon the cause and severity of the growth restriction.
Is IUGR considered high risk?
Pregnancies that have any of the following conditions may be at a greater risk at developing IUGR: Maternal weight less than 100 pounds. Poor nutrition during pregnancy. Birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities.
Can stress cause IUGR?
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and maternal stress during pregnancy are two compromises that negatively impact neurodevelopment and increase the risk of developing later life neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and behavioural disorders.
Does IUGR mean Down syndrome?
Doctors know many of the causes of IUGR but are only able to be sure about the cause in about one half of babies who have IUGR. The baby has chromosomal abnormalities (like Down syndrome). The mother used certain medicines during pregnancy. The mother is small (less than 5 feet tall or weighing less than 110 pounds).
What's the difference between IUGR and SGA?
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to a condition in which a fetus is unable to achieve its genetically determined potential size. SGA is defined as growth at the 10th or less percentile for weight of all fetuses at that gestational age.
What percentile is IUGR?
The most widely used definition of IUGR is a fetus whose estimated weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age and whose abdominal circumference is below the 2.5th percentile. At term, the cutoff birth weight for IUGR is 2,500 g (5 lb, 8 oz).
What happens if baby stops growing at 32 weeks?
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to a condition in which an unborn baby is smaller than it should be because it is not growing at a normal rate inside the womb. Delayed growth puts the baby at risk of certain health problems during pregnancy, delivery, and after birth. They include: Low birth weight.
What is IUGR in pregnancy?
The most common definition of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is a fetal weight that is below the 10th percentile for gestational age as determined through an ultrasound. Intrauterine Growth Restriction is also known as Small-for-Gestational-Age (SGA) or fetal growth restriction.
What is a primary iugr?
There are basically two different types of IUGR: Symmetric or primary IUGR is characterized by all internal organs being reduced in size. Symmetric IUGR accounts for 20% to 25% of all cases of IUGR.
What are the risks of developing IUGR?
Pregnancies that have any of the following conditions may be at a greater risk at developing IUGR: Maternal weight less than 100 pounds. Poor nutrition during pregnancy. Birth defects or chromosomal abnormalities. Use of drugs, cigarettes, and/or alcohol. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) Placental abnormalities.
How to determine gestational age?
Gestational age can be calculated by using the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) and also by early ultrasound calculations. Once gestational age has been established, the following methods can be used to diagnose IUGR: A fundal height that does not coincide with gestational age.
What is IUGR in pregnancy?
Intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR, is when a baby in the womb (a fetus) does not grow as expected. The baby is not as big as would be expected for the stage of the mother's pregnancy. This timing is known as an unborn baby's "gestational age.". The two types of IUGR are:
Why does IUGR happen?
Often, IUGR happens because the fetus doesn't get enough nutrients and nourishment. This can happen if there is a problem with: the placenta, the tissue that brings nutrients and oxygen to the developing baby. the blood flow in the umbilical cord, which connects the baby to the placenta. Intrauterine growth restriction also can happen ...
What tests are done to check for IUGR?
Doctors will also use ultrasounds to check the blood flow to the placenta and through the umbilical cord. If they think a baby has IUGR, doctors also might do such tests as: fetal monitoring to track the baby's heart rate and movements. screening the mother for infections that could affect the baby.
How to check if a baby has iugr?
Before babies are born, doctors check their growth by measuring the mother's belly from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. This is called the uterine fundal height. They also can do a prenatal ultrasound, which is how IUGR often is diagnosed.
What are the problems with intrauterine growth restriction?
Other problems that can be related to intrauterine growth restriction include: problems with breathing and feeding.
What is IUGR in fetal development?
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR ), a condition that occurs due to various reasons, is an important cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. It has been defined as a rate of fetal growth that is less than normal in light of the growth potential of that specific infant. Usually, IUGR and small for gestational age (SGA) ...
What causes IUGR?
Causes of IUGR. IUGR is the common end result of maternal, placental, fetal, or genetic factors , and IUGR can also result due to a combination of any of these factors (Fig. 1).
What is SGA in infants?
SGA has been 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. These infants have many acute neonatal problems that include perinatal asphyxia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and polycythemia.
What are the endocrine factors that contribute to IUGR?
Endocrine Basis of IUGR. The fetal growth depends on various hormones, namely, insulin, thyroid, adrenal hormones, and pituitary hormones. These hormones promote the growth and development of the fetus and any disruption in these hormonal levels leads to IUGR.
Is IUGR higher in developed countries?
The incidence of IUGR is six times higher in underdeveloped/developing countries when compared to that in developed countries, and this incidence can be further high in lower- and middle-income countries, as many infants are born in home with no birth records.
