Antenatal Care Flashcards
What is small for gestational age?
An infant with a birth weight <10th centile for its gestational age
Severe SGA is a birth weight < 3rd centile
What is foetal small for gestational age?
An estimated foetal weight/abdominal circumference < 10th centile
(Severe < 3rd centile)
What is foetal growth restriction?
A pathological process restricting growth potential
Can present with features of foetal compromise including reduced liquor volume or abnormal Doppler studies
The link to FGR is greater in severe SGA foetus
What does low birth weight refer to?
An infant with a birthweight less than 2500g
What are the causes of a small for gestational age baby?
Normal (constitutionally small) - small size at all stages of growth - no pathology present - factors - ethnicity, sex, parental height Placenta mediated growth restriction - normal initially, but slows in utero - common cause of FGR - maternal factors result in placental insufficiency Non placenta mediated growth restriction - growth affected by foetal factors
What are the maternal factor that can cause foetal insufficiency?
Low pre-pregnancy weight Substance abuse Autoimmune disease Renal disease Diabetes Chronic hypertension
What are the foetal factors that can cause non-placenta mediated growth restriction?
Chromosomal/structural anomalies
Error in metabolism
Foetal infection
What are the minor risk factors for SGA?
Maternal age >/= 35 Smoking 1-10 a day Nulliparity BMI <20/25-34.9 IVF singleton Previous pre-eclampsia Pregnancy interval <6 or 60 months + Low fruit intake pre-pregnancy
What are the major risk factors of SGA?
Maternal age over 40 Smoking 11+/day Previous SGA baby Maternal/paternal SGA Previous stillbirth Cocaine use Daily vigorous exercise Maternal disease (chronic HTN, renal impairment, diabetes with vascular disease, antiphospholipid syndrome) Heavy bleeding Low PAPP-A
When are the risk factors for SGA checked?
At booking
Again at 20 weeks gestation
Describe the diagnosis and clinical features of an SGA baby.
USS - diagnosis and surveillance - EFW, AC - plotted on customised centile charts taking into account maternal characteristics, gestational age, sex
HC:AC
- symmetrically small - likely constitutional
- asymmetric - placental insufficiency
Brain-sparing effect identified on abnormal Doppler studies
Placental insufficiency can result in impaired foetal kidney function which will result in reduced amniotic fluid volume
What are the investigations for SGA babies?
USS Detailed foetal anatomical survey Uterine artery Doppler Karyotyping Screening for infections (congenital cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, malaria)
How is SGA prevented?
Manage modifiable risk factors (smoking cessation, optimising maternal disease)
Women at high risk of pre-eclampsia - aspirin at 16 weeks to delivery
What surveillance is done for SGA babies?
UAD - primary surveillance tool - repeat every 14 days (more frequently if abnormal/consider delivery) Symphysis fundal height MCA Doppler Ductus venosus Doppler CTG Amniotic fluid volume
What is the management of an SGA baby at delivery between 24 and 35+6 week?
Give a single course of antenatal steroids