Intrauterine growth restriction | |
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Other names | Fetal growth restriction (FGR),[1][2] intrauterine growth retardation,[3][4] |
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Micrograph of villitis of unknown etiology, a placental pathology associated with IUGR. H&E stain. | |
Specialty | Pediatrics, obstetrics ![]() |
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), or fetal growth restriction, is the poor growth of a fetus while in the womb during pregnancy. IUGR is defined by clinical features of malnutrition and evidence of reduced growth regardless of an infant's birth weight percentile.[5] The causes of IUGR are broad and may involve maternal, fetal, or placental complications.[6]
At least 60% of the 4 million neonatal deaths that occur worldwide every year are associated with low birth weight (LBW), caused by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm delivery, and genetic abnormalities,[7] demonstrating that under-nutrition is already a leading health problem at birth.
Intrauterine growth restriction can result in a baby being small for gestational age (SGA), which is most commonly defined as a weight below the 10th percentile for the gestational age.[8] At the end of pregnancy, it can result in a low birth weight.
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), which is defined as less than 10 percent of predicted fetal weight for gestational age, may result in significant fetal morbidity and mortality if not properly diagnosed. The condition is most commonly caused by inadequate maternal-fetal circulation, with a resultant decrease in fetal growth.
Alternative Names: Intrauterine growth retardation; IUGR
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