PBL 2: Poor Intrauterine Growth Flashcards
What is Intrauterine Growth Restriction?
• Small for gestational age (SGA) = <10th centile for gestation
What is low birth weight?
<2,500g at any gestational age.
Why does IUGR occur?
blood or nutrient supply to the foetus is not sufficient
Risk factors of IUGR?
- Alcoholism.
- Clotting disorders.
- Drug addiction.
- Hypertension or heart disease.
- Kidney disease.
- Poor nutrition.
- Smoking.
3 types of causes of IUGR?
Foetal
Maternal
Placental
Foetal causes of IUGR?
- Chromosomal disorders (trisomy 18 = Edwards syndrome).
- Structural malformations.
- Congenital infections (CMV, rubella, syphilis).
- Normal!
Maternal causes of IUGR?
- Undernutrition (low BMI).
- Maternal hypoxia (heart disease).
- Drugs.
- Infection (TB, malaria).
Placental causes of IUGR?
- Reduced vascular supply (pre-eclampsia, hypertension, diabetes).
- Placental thrombosis.
- Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (Monochorionic).
Investigations into IUGR?
- Symphysis fundal height.
- Ultrasound.
- Foetal movement assessments.
- Cardiotocography (TCG).
- Amniotic fluid volume.
- Doppler blood-flow studies.
What is symphysis fundal height?
• Distance in cm (+/-2) from the symphysis pubis and the fundus corresponds to the gestational week roughly.
When is symphysis fundal height done from?
24 weeks
Doppler ultrasound for umbilical artery?
- Blood flowing through the umbilical arteries is coming from the foetus to the placenta.
What happens to umbilical artery in IUGR?
Increased umbilical artery resistance
what is normal for MCA?
little flow during diastole
What happens to MCA in IUGR?
- Increased resistance due to IUGR will increase flow during diastole
What is most reliable way of measuring foetal growth?
Ultrasonography
How does ultrasonography work?
Foetal growth corresponds to foetal weight