Does intrauterine growth restriction affect quality of life in adulthood?

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are pregnancy complications associated with morbidity in later life. Despite a growing body of evidence from current research on developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), little information is currently provided to parents on long-term metabolic, cardiovascular and neurologic consequences. As parents strongly rely on internet-based health-related information, we examined the quality of information on IUGR/FGR sequelae and DOHaD in webpages used by laypersons. Simulating non-clinicians experience, we entered the terms ‘IUGR consequences’ and ‘FGR consequences’ into Google and Yahoo search engines. The quality of the top search-hits was analyzed with regard to the certification through the Health On the Net Foundation (HON), currentness of cited references, while reliability of information and DOHaD-related consequences were assessed via the DISCERN Plus score (DPS). Overall the citation status was not up-to-date and only a few websites were HON-certified. The results of our analysis showed a dichotomy between the growing body of evidence regarding IUGR/FGR-related sequelae and lack of current guidelines, leaving parents without clear directions. Furthermore, detailed information on the concept of DOHaD is not provided. These findings emphasize the responsibility of the individual physician for providing advice on IUGR/FGR-related sequelae, monitoring and follow-up.

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Mechanisms Underlying Neurologic Injury in Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Journal of Child Neurology ◽

10.1177/0883073821999896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088307382199989

Author(s):

Lijia Wan ◽

Kaiju Luo ◽

Pingyang Chen

Keyword(s):

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Neurologic Injury ◽

White Matter Damage ◽

Effective Prevention ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Short And Long Term

Intrauterine growth restriction is a condition that prevents normal fetal development, and previous studies have reported that intrauterine growth restriction is caused by adverse intrauterine factors. This condition affects both short- and long-term neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies have revealed that neurodevelopmental disorders can contribute to gray and white matter damage and decrease the brain volume of affected individuals. Further, these disorders are associated with increased risks of mental retardation, cognitive impairment, and cerebral palsy, which seriously affect the quality of life. Although the mechanisms underlying the neurologic injury associated with intrauterine growth restriction are not completely clear, studies have revealed that neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, excitatory toxicity, disruption of blood-brain barrier, and epigenetics may be involved in this process. This article reviews the manifestations and possible mechanisms underlying neurologic injury in intrauterine growth restriction and provides a theoretical basis for the effective prevention and treatment of this condition.

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Arterial stiffness in women who subsequently developed isolated intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia

Ultraschall in der Medizin - European Journal of Ultrasound ◽

10.1055/s-0033-1354933 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (S 01) ◽

Author(s):

A Brückmann ◽

C Seeliger ◽

E Schleußner ◽

D Schlembach

Keyword(s):

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Intrauterine Growth

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Pathological features of the sequence in pregnant women with delayed fetal growth

HEALTH OF WOMAN ◽

10.15574/hw.2019.140.50 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 50-54

Author(s):

V.O. Golyanovskiy ◽

◽

Ye.O. Didyk ◽

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽

Normal Development ◽

Intrauterine Infection ◽

Normal Pregnancy ◽

Growth Restriction ◽

Control Group ◽

Intrauterine Growth ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Infection And Inflammation

Pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have an increased risk of adverse perinatal and long-term complications compared with the birth of children with normal body weight. Thus, IUGR is one of the main challenges for the global health system, especially in poor and developing countries. Morpho-functional studies of the placentas help in determining the causes of IUGR, and therefore, timely prevent complications in pregnant women with IUGR. The objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate various morphometric and pathomorphological changes in the placenta, including inflammatory, in cases of IUGR, and to establish a correlation of these results with the etiology and complications for the fetus. Materials and methods. In the current study, 54 placentas of the fetuses with IUGR (the main group) were compared with 50 placentas of the fetuses with normal development (control group). The criteria for the inclusion of IUGR were gestational age more than 30 weeks and all fetuses with a weight less than 10th percentile for this period of pregnancy. The placenta material was studied pathomorphologically with laboratory screening for infection and inflammation. Similarly, the results were determined for placentas of the fetuses with normal development compared to placentas with IUGR. Results. The placenta study showed the presence of calcification in the case of IUGR, as well as in the case of prolonged pregnancy. However, calcification of the placenta in the case of IUGR was more progressive compared with placenta in the normal pregnancy. In addition, the presence of intrauterine infection and inflammation was observed, which could also lead to an adverse outcome for the further progression of pregnancy with IUGR. Conclusion. A comparative macro- and microscopic pathomorphological study of the placentas in the two groups has shown a significant increase in the pathological changes in all the anatomical structures of the fetuses with IUGR. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal weight, pathomorphological changes of the placenta.

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