Fetal Growth Retardation

Pregnancy is in many ways a wonderful and unforgettable period in the lives of many women, but it also involves many worries and risks. One of the possible complications during pregnancy is a slowdown in fetal growth, which means – as the name suggests – a condition in which intrauterine growth of the fetus is slowed down for a variety of reasons. Although this is a moderately rare problem, it is good to be aware of its existence.

What is a fetal growth retardation?

Fetal growth retardation is a condition in which the fetus does not develop to standards. About three hundred children born in Finland are born underweight. One-third of them are small due to inheritance, but the rest are growth retardation due to the mother or placenta. The most common cause of fetal growth retardation is a lack of nutrition.

A fetus with growth failure is prone to acute and chronic hypoxia, which increases the risk of injury or death to the fetus. Growth retardation may also be a sign of a structural or functional abnormality in the fetus. If fetal growth has slowed significantly, the situation requires further investigation and monitoring in specialist care.

Types of fetal growth retardation

Fetal growth retardation can be symmetrical or asymmetric, and classification is based on the causes of the abnormality. In symmetrical deceleration, both the fetal head and body are smaller than normal. This type of growth disorder is often associated with certain chromosomal abnormalities.

In asymmetric growth disorder, the fetal head is usually of normal size as the fetus seeks to secure its brain growth, but the body circumference and limbs are smaller than normal. This type is often associated with maternal pre-eclampsia, i.e., an increase in blood pressure during pregnancy, resulting in decreased placental blood flow.

What causes the slowdown in fetal growth?

Decreased fetal growth can be due to a variety of reasons, the most common of which is malnutrition. The main cause due to the mother or placenta, on the other hand, is poor blood flow to the uterus and placenta, which can be caused by several factors. The most common fetal causes are congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, and multiple pregnancies.

Environmental factors

Experts believe that women living high above sea level are more likely to give birth to young children. This may be due to the fact that the oxygen content of the air decreases as it rises higher. Similar problems have been observed with expectant mothers living in cities with high levels of pollution.

Harmful habits

Fetal growth is impaired by smoking by the expectant mother, heavy alcohol consumption, and the use of certain medications. Such bad habits can cause very serious problems for the baby both before and after birth. The mother’s lack of nutrition and one-sided diet also slow down fetal growth.

Diseases

The main cause of slowing of fetal growth due to the mother or placenta is poor blood flow to the uterus and placenta. The problem can be caused by a developmental disorder of the placenta, poor placental attachment, pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, or maternal illness such as severe diabetes, chronic hypertension, or collagen disease. Poor food absorption due to intestinal disease can also slow fetal growth.

Sold reasons

Decreased fetal growth can also be caused by chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome. It can also be caused by a congenital malformation of the fetus, an inflammatory condition of the uterus, or even a multiple pregnancy.

How is a retardation of fetal growth detected?

During pregnancy, fetal development is monitored at the maternity clinic by observing the mother’s weight gain and uterine growth. The basic research of the maternity clinic includes a symphysis-fundus or sf measurement, the purpose of which is to measure the growth of the fetus by measuring the distance from the top of the pubic joint to the base of the uterus. If fetal growth is suspected to be slowed, development can be monitored more closely by echocardiography.

How is fetal growth retardation treated?

If fetal growth is found to be slowed, it is important for the expectant mother to provide a varied diet and adequate rest. Exercise is not recommended. If a woman has smoked or used drugs during pregnancy, these habits must naturally be stopped.

In most cases, the condition of small-born children improves rapidly after birth, but it all depends, of course, on the reasons for the slowed growth of the fetus. Depending on their condition, the baby may need to spend time in the hospital and in the premature ward after birth.

How can fetal growth retardation be prevented?

In all cases, the growth retardation cannot be prevented, but the mother can reduce the risk of complications by providing a healthy and varied diet and avoiding smoking and substance use.