We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Intrauterine Growth Restriction?

By H. Lo
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,093
Share

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 would at the same gestational age. The baby might have either symmetric or asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction. In symmetric IUGR, the baby is small all around. With asymmetric IUGR, the baby’s body is small while the head and brain are of normal size.

There are a number of causes of intrauterine growth restriction. Most commonly, the baby might 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, a birth defect or genetic disorder might be the cause, and infections or diseases can also play a role as well. Lastly, the mother can contribute to the onset of the medical condition by participating in unsafe pregnancy practices such as smoking or abusing alcohol and drugs.

Babies with intrauterine growth restriction are monitored because of potential health complications. They tend to be weaker than normal-sized babies and are at risk of dying before birth or being stillborn. The weakened state of the baby might require that he is born by cesarean section. In addition, among many other risks, babies with intrauterine growth restriction might have a high red blood cell (RBC) count, a low blood pressure or be more susceptible to infection.

Just because a baby is small does not mean he has intrauterine growth restriction. For example, the baby might be smaller than usual, but it might be because the mother is small. A doctor will be able to determine whether the baby does indeed have the intrauterine growth restriction. During an ultrasound, the doctor will measure the baby and examine if there is enough amniotic fluid in the uterus. In some cases, other tests might be performed to confirm results.

Treatment options for intrauterine growth restriction are limited. Foremost, the mother should take care to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle while keeping all appointments with her doctor. If the doctor sees that the baby is not growing or is at risk of dying, he might induce labor. A small baby, regardless of whether he was born early, might need to stay longer at the hospital until the doctor is sure that he is healthy enough to leave. It depends on the severity of the condition, but by the time the baby is 2-years-old, his growth will probably normalize.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-intrauterine-growth-restriction.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.