Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a frequently observed complication during pregnancy, defined as the development of the baby in the womb below its general development capacity. In normal practice, it is often expressed as the situation where the fetal biometric parameters measured after the 20th week of pregnancy are in the 10% section that shows the least development, unlike the development line shown by 90% of the general population. Based on this expression, intrauterine growth restriction is diagnosed in 10% of pregnancies. Diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction is associated with increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the future, and increased risk of disability and death during pregnancy, newborn, childhood and adulthood. For this reason, diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction during pregnancy follow-up is also important in terms of public health. Infectious agents, chromosomal or genetic anomalies, hereditary malformations and smoking can cause intrauterine growth restriction. However, the most common cause is the inadequacy of the placenta to ensure the ideal development of the baby, which is called placental insufficiency. IUGR due to placental insufficiency often occurs in the last third of pregnancy as a clinical and biological finding of a vital disease characterized by high blood pressure and protein leakage in the urine, referred to as preeclampsia. Therefore, it is important to monitor the baby's development and diagnose intrauterine growth restriction during pregnancy follow-ups.
What are the causes of fetal growth retardation during pregnancy?
If a baby does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, they will not be able to grow to their full potential. Less commonly, genetic conditions can affect growth potential. The most common causes of IUGR are listed below:
I – Abnormalities in the placenta, which is the organ that transfers nutrients and oxygen from the blood to the baby in the uterus,
II – Medical conditions such as chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, kidney or heart disease, sickle cell anemia, advanced diabetes, blood clotting disorders, antiphospholipid syndrome or severe lung disease,
III – Chromosomal anomalies (such as Down syndrome), structural birth defects (such as anencephaly, which means the absence of a section of the brain), kidney defects or abdominal wall defects,
IV – Multiple pregnancies,
V – Addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, drugs ,
VI – Certain infections such as Toxoplasmosis, CMV, Syphilis or Rubella (German measles),
VII – Some anticonvulsant drugs,
VIII – Severe malnutrition ,
Additionally, pregnant women who were underweight before pregnancy, who did not gain enough weight during pregnancy, and who live at high altitudes may have small babies.
In case of the problems mentioned in the list above, developmental follow-up with ultrasound during pregnancy follow-up is even more important.
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