IUGFR Flashcards
Define IUGFR and SGA
- SGA: birth weight < 10th centile
* FGR: Failure of the fetus to achieve its predetermined growth potential for various reasons
What are the key features of early IUGR
Early IUGR • Size
• Umbilical
Doppler- abnormal umbilical arteries
AC<10th centile
AC<3rd centile - severe
What is meant by low birth weight
Low birthweight (LBW): Less than 2,500g at delivery. Currently ~7% of live births (UK).
Very low birthweight (VLBW): Less than 1,500g at delivery. Currently ~1% of live births (UK).
Extremely low birthweight (ELBW): Less than 1,000g at delivery. Currently ~0.2% of live births (UK).
Describe low birth weight
- Epidemiological studies use BW alone, not GA
- Most LBW neonates are NOT growth restricted
- Many FGR babies are delivered prematurely
- 3-10 fold increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality- associated with early delivery
- LBW, FGR and preterm delivery have closely associated pathologies
Describe the issues with regarding low birth weight and why is this important
The last two definitions take no account of gestational age, they simply refer to the weight of the infant at delivery. This is very important – for example, an infant of 2,500g at term would be considered SGA, whereas if delivered at 33 weeks this would be an appropriate weight for a normal infant
Infants who are inappropriately small at delivery are at increased risk of a range of neonatal complications. In many cases, treatment is best started as soon as possible, so identifying the at-risk infants is important.
It is important to differentiate between infants born preterm, who are of low birthweight simply because they have been born early, and those who are growth restricted; the latter are a greater risk of morbidities and mortality after delivery, and most low birthweight infants are in the former group (and hence at lower risk).
What type of definition is SGA
- The terms ‘small for gestational age’ (SGA) and ‘small-for-dates’ are statistical definitions of weight at birth (below a subjective centile on charts of birth weight standards)
- The centiles most commonly employed are the tenth, fifth or third.
Describe the importance of the choice of centiles for SGA
- When choosing which centile to use, a balance between sensitivity and specificity is being made – the tenth centile is most sensitive and the third centile is most specific.
- The tenth centile will capture all babies with FGR, but will also include those babies that are just small for gestational age, i.e. you get a number of false positives.
- All babies recorded using the third centile will have FGR, but some FGR babies may be missed, i.e you get a number of false negatives.
which centile is used for large gestational age
> 90th centile
When should the term FGR be used
• The term FGR should only be used for fetuses with definite evidence that growth has altered.
• Growth is a dynamic process of a change of size over time and, therefore, it can only be assessed by serial observation (ie over a period of 10-14 days)
the serial measurements show that the infant is not growing ‘along a centile’, but is growing less than would be expected.
Describe the overall outcomes for babies with FGR
- IUGR is the most common factor identified in stillborn babies.
- In addition, it has serious consequences for babies who survive.
- Furthermore, there is an increased risk of IUGR and intrauterine death (IUD) in mother’s subsequent pregnancy.
What are the short term problems of LBW/FGR/Prematuritry
Respiratory distress Intraventricular haemorrhage Sepsis- start on antibiotics Hypoglycaemia- give dextrose drip Necrotising enterocolitis- ischaemic bowel Jaundice- weight loss Electrolyte imbalance
Describe the longer term problems of LBW/FGR/Prematuirty
Medium term
Respiratory problems
Developmental delay
Special needs schooling
Long term
Fetal programming- problems in adult life
Describe the different causes of SGA
Dating problem - growth normal, wrong date (normal fluid/dopplers) consistent growth
Normal - growth may reduce normally (normal fluid/dopplers)
Foetal problems (5%) - abnormality/infection
Placental insufficiency (20%) - reduction in AC/FL, with deranged dopplers (blood flow diverted to essential organs-mover less)- reduced liquor- infrequent urination
AC decreased due to loss of centripetal fat
HC decreases last
When does IUFGR usually occur
IUGR generally develops in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The first trimester concentrates on the development of embryonic and fetal structures, so the fetus weighs about 50g at the end of the first trimester. Almost all weight gain occurs in the later stages of pregnancy, so this is when the main causes are apparent.
What is important to remember about the risk factors for IUGR
These factors may be present in combination, in which case the risk of IUGR may be increased.
Describe the maternal medical factors that can lead to IUGR
- Chronic hypertension •Connective tissue disease •Severe chronic infection •Diabetes mellitus •Anaemia
- Uterine abnormalities •Maternal malignancy •Pre-eclampsia •Thrombophilic defects
Describe the fetal factors that can lead to IUGR
- Multiple pregnancy
- Structural abnormality •Chromosomal abnormalities •Intrauterine (congenital) infection •Inborn errors of metabolism
iNFECTIONS- CMV, toxoplasmosis
Describe the placental factors that can lead to IUGR
- Impaired trophoblast invasion •Partial abruption or infarction •Chorioamnionitis
- Placental cysts
- Placenta praevia
Describe the maternal behavioural factors that can lead to IUGR
- Smoking
- Low booking weight (<50 kg) •Poor nutrition
- Age <16 or >35 years at delivery •Alcohol
- Drugs
- High altitude
- Social deprivation
Summarise the changes that take place during the pregnancy
The first half of pregnancy is a time of preparation for the demands of rapid fetal growth in the second half of pregnancy
Alterations in maternal physiology to facilitate transfer of nutrients to the fetus
Increased mass of maternal stores of glucose and adipose tissue
Increased placental mass
Increased mass of fetus
Summarise placental development
- 10-12 weeks is the period of placentation
- Rapid early growth prepares way for fetal growth
- Trophoblast cells use same molecular mechanisms as tumors (invasion), but are highly regulated and controlled- interruptions in this- early onset IUGR
Two phases of placentation:
1st- primary implantation
2nd- 14-16 weeks- last for 4 weeks
Describe the roles of the placenta
- Maintains immunological distance between mother and fetus
- Special endocrine organ: produces protein-peptides and steroid hormones and functions as a “transient hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis”
- Responsible for exchange of nutrients, gases & metabolic waste products between maternal and fetal circulation