The Small-For-Gestational-Age Infant And Problems Of Prematurity

Abstract Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) reduces overall weight gain of the fetus compared to an appropriately grown fetus of the same gestational age. The term small for gestational age (SGA) is commonly used to describe infants born with birth weights less than the 10th percentile for gestational age and may also be defined as birth weight and/or length at least two standard deviations below the mean for gestational age. The SGA infants are a heterogeneous group, as they may be born premature, term, or post-mature; furthermore, the growth restriction may differ in its etiology, severity, and duration (Fig. 3–1).