Intrauterine Growth and Gestational Duration Determinants

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 502-511
Author(s):  
Michael S. Kramer

Despite the general recognition that low birth weight can be caused by many factors, confusion and controversy remain about which factors have independent causal effects, as well as the quantitative importance of those effects. Previous research findings have often been conflicting because of a failure to distinguish intrauterine growth retardation from prematurity, differences in focus (means v rates), inadequate control for confounding variables, and insufficient statistical power. This review of the English and French language medical literature published between 1970 and 1984 is based on a critical assessment and meta-analysis of 895 studies concerning 43 potential determinants of intrauterine growth or gestational duration. Based on methodologic standards established a priori for each candidate determinant, the best studies were used to assess the existence and magnitude of an independent causal effect on birth weight, gestational age, prematurity, and intrauterine growth retardation. Factors with well-established direct causal impacts are identified, and their relative importance is indicated for "typical" developing and developed country settings. Modifiable factors with large effects are targeted for public health intervention in the two settings. Finally, factors of potential quantitative importance, but for which data are either unavailable or inconclusive, are highlighted as priorities for future research.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-558
Author(s):  
J. Urrusti ◽  
P. Yoshida ◽  
L. Velasco ◽  
S. Frenk ◽  
A. Rosado ◽  
...  

Intrauterine growth was assessed in a series of 128 cases. Thirty-six infants were small for gestational age, and showed the usual signs of intrauterine growth retardation (IUM). The head circumference of these infants was small, with reference to normal term babies (FT) and comparable to premature infants, appropriately sized for a gestational age (ACA) five weeks less than that of the IUM's. There were 12 neonatal deaths, three among IUM infants within 24 hours and nine in the low birth weight AGA group within 72 hours. The mothers of these three groups of infants were similar with respect to age, weight, height, nutritional patterns, and prior pregnancy histories.


2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID MADDEN

SummaryThere is now fairly substantial evidence of a socioeconomic gradient in low birth weight for developed countries. The standard summary statistic for this gradient is the concentration index. Using data from the recently published Growing Up in Ireland survey, this paper calculates this index for low birth weight arising from preterm and intrauterine growth retardation. It also carries out a decomposition of this index for the different sources of low birth weight and finds that income inequality appears to be less important for the case of preterm births, while father's education and local environmental conditions appear to be more relevant for intrauterine growth retardation. The application of the standard Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition also indicates that the socioeconomic gradient for low birth weight appears to arise owing to different characteristics between rich and poor, and not because the impact of any given characteristic on low birth weight differs between rich and poor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-353
Author(s):  
Hazha Ibrahim ◽  
Zainab Zween

Background and objective: Oligohydramnios is defined as an amniotic fluid index less than 5th centile for gestation. It presents a threat to the fetus and has been correlated with increased risk of intrauterine growth retardation, meconium aspiration syndrome, severe birth asphyxia, low APGAR scores, and congenital abnormalities. It is associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality and maternal morbidity in a significant number of cases. Therefore, early detection of oligohydramnios and its management is important. This study aimed to determine the perinatal and maternal outcomes in oligohydramnios. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out at the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil from March 2018 to March 2019. A total of 300 patients were recruited, including 150 pregnant women with oligohydramnios and 150 with normal amniotic fluid index. Results: There was a significant difference between the oligohydramnios group and the comparison group in relation to parity and gestational age. Oligohydramnios was more among primigravids. The rate of cesarean section was higher in oligohydramnios group compared to the comparison group. Intrauterine growth retardation among oligohydramnios group was 13%. Oligohydramnios was associated with birth weight <2500 gm (21.3%). Conclusion: Antepartum diagnosis of severe oligohydramnios at term was associated with an increased cesarean section rate, a higher rate of admission of neonatal care unit, and low birth weight. Therefore, antepartum oligohydramnios is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Amniotic fluid index; Maternal outcome; Fetal outcome; Oligohydramnios.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-244
Author(s):  
Fernando C. Barros ◽  
Sharon R.A. Huttly ◽  
Cesar C. Victora ◽  
Betty R. Kirkwood ◽  
J. Patrick Vaughan

A cohort of 5914 liveborns (99% of the city births) was followed up to the age of 4 years in Pelotas, southern Brazil. Besides the perinatal evaluation, the cohort children were examined again at mean ages of 11, 23, and 47 months. During each visit the children were weighed and measured and information on morbidity was collected. Also, multiple sources of information were used for monitoring mortality throughout the study. Of the babies with known gestational age, 9.0% were classified as intrauterine growth-retarded and 6.3% as preterm. Excluding those of unknown gestational age, 62% of low birth weight babies were intrauterine growth-retarded and 36% were preterm. Intrauterine growth retardation was statistically associated with maternal height, prepregnancy weight birth interval, and smoking, whereas preterm births were associated with maternal prepregnancy weight and maternal age. Preterm babies had a perinatal mortality rate 13 times higher than that of babies of appropriate birth weight and gestational age and 2 times higher than that of intrauterine growth-retarded babies. Infant mortality rates presented a similar pattern, with the differentials being more pronounced during the neonatal than in the postneonatal period. In the first 2 years of life intrauterine growth-retarded children were at almost twice the risk of being hospitalized for diarrhea compared with appropriate birth weight, term children, while preterm children experienced only a slightly greater risk. For pneumonia, however, both groups of children were hospitalized significantly more than appropriate birth weight, term children. In terms of growth, despite their earlier disadvantage, preterm children gradually caught up with their appropriate birth weight, term counterparts. This catch-up occurred primarily between mean ages 23 and 47 months. Intrauterine growth-retarded children, however, exhibited no such catch-up. Indeed, their average monthly growth rates between measurements were always lower than those of children in the other two groups.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEITH J. PEEVY ◽  
FELICITY A. SPEED ◽  
CHARLES J. HOFF

We have studied the epidemiology of inguinal hernias in preterm infants. Inguinal hernias occur with increased frequency in infants ≤32 weeks' gestational age or ≤1,250 g birth weight. Among infants ≤32 weeks' gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation significantly increases the risk for development of inguinal hernias, especially in male infants. Our data demonstrate a previously unrecognized association between neonatal inguinal hernia and intrauterine growth retardation.


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