Etiology of foetal growth retardation in hospital born infants
Arora, N.K.; Singh, M.; Paul, V.K.; Bhargava, V.L.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 85: 395-400
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 3623648 Document Number: 288296
One hundred term small-for-dates (SFD) and an equal number of control newborns with normal birth weight were studied prospectively. Maternal infections were the commonest (29%) cause of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Maternal vascular disease caused IUGR in 12 per cent infants. Maternal heart disease and fetal congenital malformations were responsible for IUGR in 8 percent infants each. In 28 percent of IUGR infants etiology was multifactorial, and no cause could be identified in 13 percent infants. Mothers of SFD babies were shorter, thinner and lighter as compared with mothers in the control group. Their average hemoglobin was lower and there were greater number of anaemic mothers in the study group.