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Home » Pregnancy & Baby Forums » Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Intrauterine Growth Restriction

How is IUGR diagnosed and treated?

Intrauterine Growth Restriction

During pregnancy, most babies will grow at a remarkable rate. When a fetus measures small for their gestational age, the condition is known as intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR. When a baby is diagnosed with IUGR, they may be described as small for gestational age as well. A fetus that has been diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction normally weighs less than 90% of all other fetuses that are the same gestational age.

Intrauterine growth restriction occurs when the cells and tissue can not grow. This usually happens when the baby does not receive the proper amount of nutrients or oxygen that is needed for growth and development. IUGR can be diagnosed at any point during the pregnancy. Doctors diagnose IUGR in a variety of ways. During prenatal visits, caregivers measure the height of the fundus. The measurement usually corresponds with the week of pregnancy after the 20th week. If the measurement is low, IUGR may be suspected. Ultrasound examinations are often used to accurately estimate a baby's size.

A baby with IUGR will be thin and is often born with pale, loose skin that may be dry. Many babies with IUGR will look malnourished at birth, but not all will appear that way. Usually the babies umbilical cord is thin and dull in color rather than thick and shiny. It is not uncommon for babies to be born with low oxygen levels and low Apgar scores. Babies that have IUGR may also suffer from low blood sugar and have a hard time regulating their body temperature. Babies that experience severe degrees of IUGR may be born stillborn or have long-term problems as life progresses.

There are a variety of causes for IUGR. Some babies will be born small because of genetics, but the majority of babies that are diagnosed with IUGR will have other reasons for the condition. Some common causes of IUGR are:

*HIgh blood pressure in the mother

*Kidney disease in the mother

*Diabetes

*Infection

*Malnutrition or an eating disorder

*Anemia

*Substance abuse (tobacco, drugs, alcohol)

*Placental abruption

*Placenta previa

*Insufficient blood flow to the uterus or placenta

*Multiple gestation

*Birth defects

The earlier that the problem is found, the more severe it will likely be. Pregnant women that are diagnosed with IUGR will be closely monitored and additional tests and procedures will be done. Nonstress tests, biophysical profiles, ultrasound exams and doppler flow studies are all used to monitor for potential problems that IUGR can cause.

Although there are some things that women can do to decrease the risks of IUGR, there is no absolute prevention. Avoiding alcohol, drugs and tobacco are suggested. Quality prenatal care and good nutrition is crucial to the development of a fetus. There is no cure for intrauterine growth restriction. Quality nutrition, bedrest and possible delivery are the main treatments for IUGR. With the advancement of medical technology, sometimes it is best for the baby to be delivered early.

Comments: Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Comments 1 to 14 of about 14.
1

AlexiasMommy20 - 501 days ago.
my due date was July 31 had her July 11th, the said she was a iugr baby she was born 4lbs 1.9oz ...even though she was perfectly healthy she had to stay 2 weeks in the nicu until she reached the weight limit to leave:( she was in the 3rd percentile at birth and for the first 2 years and now that she is 3 she is in the 5th percentile shes a happy healthy child and enjoys doing everything normal 3yr olds like to do. she did take a little longer to talk than most children but now its hard to get her to not talk... trying again for another child hope this pregnancy goes smoother because with my daughter i had appts. 4-5 days a week

letthisonestick - 696 days ago.
Just as my first, my second son has been diagnosed with IUGR. I am VERY concerned. I'm 37 weeks.

elizabeth ray - 845 days ago.
wats the earliest those of u with iugr babies have had ur LO. my doc said no ealier then 34w and no later then 36w. this is my first and he has been declineing in growth since our 20 week u/s. at 12w he was measuring 12w and 5 days and at 20 week he was measuring in the 58th percentile and at 27 weeks he was in the 14th percentile. we have another ultrasound on the 10th of feb when the docs will decide when the want to deliver... im scared beyond my mind. i have had hyperemsis gravidarium, my hcg levels have been way higher then wat they should be this whole pregnancy and my uterin vessels are constricted. so ne advice or knowledge you ladies have would be soooooo helpful. i have been seeing my doc twice a month since 20 weeks and have only gained 13 lbs and 3 of those lbs i had to gain back. and im 31w2d. and i have had ultrasounf every 5-7 weeks since 20w and my son has not shown ne inprovement!!! plz ne advice would help and/or knowledge thank you very much elizabeth

theomum - 1206 days ago.
My little boy had IUGR and was always tiny compared to other babies his age but he will be 2 in April and in the last 6 months he has really caught up. Me and dh are not tall so he is never going to be a big 6fter but he is now on par with his peers which is something we didnt think would happen. Preg with number 2 now and im 34 weeks preg due for section 10th march and my care has been fantastic, i am being well monitored to pick up signs of it happening again . So far so good, baby is going to be in smaller end of normal limits but at least its growing. Please take reassurance from this that yes they can catch up and if preg again you will be well looked after x

kiarasam06 - 1212 days ago.
My son was born @ 36 wks 4lbs 2oz 17.5' no reason as to why the iugr. hoping 4 another pregnancy without iugr....ne one have a 2nd pregnancy without it and went FT?

Mama2B 01-10-10 - 1232 days ago.
my daughter was born on december 23rd at 37w3d. i had high blood pressure (up to 180/115) throughout pregnancy, and fundal height and estimates of baby's size were small. my doctor decided to induce labor on december 22nd, but my little girl's heart rate was dropping too low during my contractions so she was born via c-section. she weighed 4lb6oz and was 18 inches long. estimates of her weight 3 weeks earlier were 4lb3oz. my doctor never mentioned IUGR, although it was known that we would be having a small baby as she was measuring in the 14th percentile. at birth, she needed no help with breathing and never went to the NICU. she did initially have low blood sugar, but that was remedied after cup feeding formula to her. and now, a couple weeks later... she is doing beautifully. she weighs 5 lb now, and she is VERY strong!

ellae - 1512 days ago.
My son was born at 38 weeks weighing 4lbs 9 oz and was in the NICU for 5 days due to hypoglysemia and feeding problems. Now at 12 weeks he weighs 10 lbs 3 oz. Through out the entire pregnancy I was considered high risk and since 12 weeks he was measuring small. I know how difficult and stressful it is to be in this situation, not knowing what will happen, so if anyone needs advice or just to talk about it I am here. I wish I had some one to talk to when I was still pregnant, so I can definetly relate. take care all

DReame - 1544 days ago.
Hello everyone my name is dreame and Im about to be 24 in about a mont every since I was little I have always wanted kids. Well I was diagnosed with pcos which is poly cystic ovaries ma main concern with having this was that there is a possibility you cant have kids. when I came of age I tried for a few years well i finally got pregnant and lost that baby due to a miscarraige. Sadly I was told to wait 3 months well god had other plans I got pregnant liek a week or two later with my daughter layla however at around 5 months I was told she had IUGR I spent almost a month in the hospital up util delivery at 26 weeks and 2 days I was told many things that she wouldnt survive because of her weight which was 13 oz and she was 9 1/2 in long. well she beat the odds she was breathing on her own and very active as active as she was in the womb I was so happy finally felt like I had gotten it right but two days later on Dec 31, 2008 my beauiful little girl passed away. So now Im back at square one its been really rough for me gaoing through this and I want to try an get pregnant again however I am scraed to death I can relate to many of you and it was a difficult time I learned alot about the condition and drilled the doctors extensively hopefully many of you dont share my sorrow with the loss of a child I wish all of you who plan to try again many blessings.

kbfulloffaith - 1549 days ago.
Maiko - hi there - I had IUGR with two pregnancies. They have finally done a blood work up on me and found that I have Factor V...it's a clotting disorder. Having said that they believe that this is what has caused the IUGR because when I get pregnant I get clots then the baby can't get enough blood in the womb. So, we are going to try to get pregnant again and they are going to put me on blood thinner shots once a day to assist with the clots in hopes that will allow the baby to grow correctly. I don't know if this helps you at all...if you want to talk I am here.

Maiko - 1555 days ago.
I came here looking for answers to my IUGR with baby #3. I never measured over 32 weeks, I was induced at 36w 6d. Baby boy was born weighing 5lb 4 oz and had zero problems at birth. He's always been underweight and now at 16 mos, the docs think he has Celiac Disease. I looked at the 'common causes' listed below but I didn't have any! Now I'm expecting baby #4 and wonder if there is a chance I'll have IUGR again. Anyone have it with subsequent pregnancies? Thank you!

Tejay2 - 1567 days ago.
Hi i just found this forum because i was looking to find out any info on why my uterus is measuring 5wks behind what it should, im 29wks an my uterus is at my belly button it should be 3 to 4 cm above. my midwife didnt seem worried, are there any other signs of iugr, does anyone think this could be possible or am i being parronoid!

jessikaanne - 1593 days ago.
I am 27 weeks and 4 days, they just told me today that my daughter has IUGR. The doctor said that I am going to have to deliver early to avoid a high chance of still born birth. I hear that the outcome can be iffy but here is hopeing that all is well. Right now she is only weighting in at 1 pound 13 ounces and the dr. said that she should be over 2 pounds at this gestational age.....anyone else going through this that would like to talk, I know that I am scared to death about the outcome

hoping2131 - 1619 days ago.
I was recently diagnosed with IUGR at 22 weeks. Blood flow seems fine for now. Baby is comingin at the 6th percentile. Growing well for now. HAve to have scans and dopplers every week. See my page for the latest blog.

smc - 1628 days ago.
Is there any one else out there experiencing IUGR? My baby girl has a restriction in bloodflow due to high blood pressure meds. My specialist indicates this is causing IUGR. I'm currently on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy to improve blood flow to the baby. Have you known any one to go through this? What was the outcome?