Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Intrauterine growth retardation can result from a variety of environmental and genetic influences on fetal growth. The sequelae of intrauterine growth retardation resulting from impairment of nutrient flow include low birth weight with sparing of brain growth, polycythemia, and hypoglycemia resulting from decreased storage fuels and defective gluconeogenesis. Available data suggest that the vast majority of nutritionally growthretarded infants have normal postnatal development without significant difference in IQ or neurologic scores from normal infants. The outcome of infants in whom there is decreased growth potential relates to the condition underlying growth retardation and may, of course, result in later severe handicap. Infants with nutritional intrauterine growth retardation may exhibit decreased fetal size and sparing of brain growth as an adaptive stage in the presence of lower oxygen and substrate availability. Under such conditions, a smaller size may decrease substrate and oxygen needs and improve outcome. All infants with intrauterine growth retardation, however, require follow-up and careful developmental evaluation.