Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is when a baby does not grow normally in the womb, caused by issues with the placenta, birth defects, genetic disorders, infections, or unsafe pregnancy practices. Babies with IUGR are at risk of health complications and may require a cesarean section. Treatment options are limited, but maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle and inducing labor may be necessary. By the time the child is 2 years old, their growth will likely normalize.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a medical condition in which a baby does not grow normally while in the womb and weighs less than a baby usually at the same gestational age. Your baby may have symmetrical or asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction. In symmetrical IUGR, the baby is small all around. With asymmetric IUGR, the child’s body is small while the head and brain are normal in size.
There are a number of causes of intrauterine growth restriction. Most commonly, the baby could develop the condition because there is something wrong with the placenta and the baby is not getting enough blood, food and oxygen. In other cases, the cause could be a birth defect or a genetic disorder, and infection or disease can also play a role. Finally, the mother may contribute to the onset of the medical condition by participating in unsafe pregnancy practices such as smoking or alcohol and drug abuse.
Babies with intrauterine growth restriction are monitored for potential health complications. They tend to be weaker than normal-sized babies and are at risk of dying before birth or being stillborn. The baby’s weakened state may require that it be born by cesarean section. Also, among many other risks, babies with intrauterine growth restriction might have high red blood cell (RBC) counts, low blood pressure, or be more susceptible to infections.
Just because a baby is small doesn’t mean they have intrauterine growth restriction. For example, the baby may be smaller than usual, but that may be because the mother is small. A doctor will be able to determine if your baby actually has intrauterine growth restriction. During an ultrasound, your doctor will measure your baby and examine if there is enough amniotic fluid in your uterus. In some cases, other tests may be done to confirm the results.
Treatment options for intrauterine growth restriction are limited. First and foremost, the mother should take care to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle by keeping all appointments with her doctor. If your doctor sees that your baby is not growing or is at risk of dying, she may induce labour. A young baby, whether or not he was born early, may need to stay longer in the hospital until the doctor is sure he is healthy enough to leave. It depends on the severity of the condition, but by the time your child is 2 years old, their growth will likely normalize.
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