What Is IUGR?
The stage of pregnancy is one of the most pleasant in a woman’s life. However, it also carries risks and concerns. One of the rare but well-known dangers is retarded intrauterine growth.
This complication causes the fetus to be below average size. Next, we present the factors that cause it and what is the prognosis of a baby with this condition.
What is growth retardation?
This problem, also called CIUR or intrauterine growth restriction, is a medical condition that signals the growth of the fetus below standards. It is important to mention that they are not smaller babies, but their growth speed has been reduced while in the womb.
The consequence of this is being born with a low weight and experiencing complications at the time of delivery. A low birth weight is considered to be one below 2.5 kg.
Types of retarded intrauterine growth
The classification of delayed intrauterine growth will basically depend on the origin of the anomaly. For this reason, it is possible to have symmetric or intrinsic CIUR typical of some chromosomal defects. In this condition there is a reduction in the growth of the whole body, the extremities, the abdomen and the head.
Extrinsic or asymmetric CIUR can also occur, usually due to an abnormality in the placenta. In these cases, the head may develop normally, while the abdomen and limbs remain small.
On the other hand, we have the combined type of CIUR, which is due to both internal (fetus) and external factors, and the one whose causes are unknown. It should be noted that not all young babies suffer from retarded intrauterine growth.
In this sense, factors such as genetics must be ruled out, since if the parents are small, obviously the baby will be short. Likewise, its reduced size may be due to other pathologies.
Causes of retarded intrauterine growth
The causes of this complication can be diverse; it is generally attributed to a malfunction of the placenta. This organ connects the mother with the fetus and supplies the nutrients that it must consume.
However, if the placenta does not function properly, delayed intrauterine growth occurs. There are other factors that could cause this condition, among which it is worth highlighting:
Environment conditions
It is estimated that pregnant women living in high areas are prone to giving birth to younger children. This could be due to the amount of oxygen, which decreases at higher altitude. Something similar happens with future mothers who live in large polluted cities.
Harmful habits
Another cause of delayed intrauterine growth can be the mother’s harmful habits. Among them, we can mention: smoking while pregnant, using drugs or drinking alcohol. These addictions can lead to very low birth weight babies.
Diseases
Diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disorders and metabolic disorders can reduce the amount of oxygen, vitamins and minerals that reach the placenta. This makes the fetus unable to develop properly; therefore, the CIUR is caused.
In addition, if the pregnant woman is medicated to treat these conditions, there is a risk that the pathology will increase. Similarly, poor nutrition, strenuous work, and misinformation can lead to below-normal growth.
Other causes
Other triggers that can cause this condition can be genetic alterations such as Down syndrome or Turner syndrome. It can also be due to malformation of the organs of the fetus, infections of the uterus and even cases of multiple pregnancy.
How is CIUR diagnosed?
To detect and diagnose this condition, it is necessary to perform prenatal controls accompanied by an ultrasound. It shows if the blood reaches the placenta correctly and the behavior of this organ. These tests are simple and routine, so they do not carry any risk and are essential to prevent major complications.
What is the survival probability of a baby with ICUR?
In most cases, babies who experience this condition recover quickly at birth. Depending on the weight, it is recommended to monitor him in an incubator until he can eat on his own and is the right size.
In conclusion, delayed intrauterine growth is a condition that can occur at any stage of pregnancy. The causes are diverse and a good prognosis is possible. The ideal is to follow the doctor’s instructions and comply with the indicated controls.
