What Is Inhibited Fetal Growth?

Pregnancy is one of the finest periods in a woman’s life. But it also comes with risks and concerns. One of the complications that can occur is inhibited fetal growth.

Even if it is unusual, it is still important to know the condition. Inhibited fetal growth means that the size of the fetus is smaller than average.

Below we tell you what can cause the problem and what the prognosis is for infants suffering from stunted fetal growth.

What is fetal growth inhibited?

This problem, also known as intrauterine growth retardation, is a medical condition that means the baby is smaller than normal. It is important to mention that these babies are not only small, but have grown at a slower rate in the womb.

The consequences of inhibited fetal growth include low birth weight and other complications at birth. Low birth weight is said of a child who weighs less than two and a half kilos at birth

Types of inhibited fetal growth

The classification of intrauterine growth inhibition depends in principle on the origin of the anomaly. Infants may therefore suffer from symmetrical growth retardation that is typical of certain chromosomal defects.

In this case, the reduced growth affects the whole body: all extremities, abdomen and head.

Asymmetrically inhibited fetal growth may also occur, which is usually due to an abnormality in the placenta. In this case, the head can develop normally while the abdomen and extremities remain small.

Finally, there is combined inhibited fetal growth, which is the result of unknown causes. It is important to point out that not all babies who are small suffer from stunted fetal growth, but there may be other reasons for their size.

Therefore, it is important to rule out genetic problems. It is natural that if the parents are small, it is likely that the child is also small. At the same time, a baby may be small due to other problems.

Causes of inhibited fetal growth

There are several different causes for this complication. In general, it has to do with the fact that the placenta does not have optimal conditions for growth. This organ connects the mother and the fetus and administers the nutrients that the growing fetus needs.

But if the placenta does not work properly, it leads to stunted growth. Other factors can also cause this condition, which we will take a closer look at below:

The environment and the surroundings

Experts believe that pregnant women living at higher altitudes are more likely to give birth to small babies.

This may be due to the amount of oxygen in the air, which is lower at high altitudes, limiting growth. Something similar happens with expectant mothers living in highly polluted cities.

Harmful habits

Another reason for stunted fetal growth may be that the mother has harmful habits – for example, smokes during pregnancy, or has a drug and / or alcohol abuse. These addictions can have serious consequences for the growing baby in the womb, including very low birth weight.

Diseases

Diseases such as arterial hypertension, heart failure and metabolic changes can be to blame. All of these conditions can reduce the amount of oxygen, vitamins and minerals that reach the placenta. As a result, the fetus cannot develop normally and its growth can thus be adversely affected.

If the mother also takes medication for these problems, the risk is greater that growth will be inhibited. In the same way, poor nutrition, physical hard work and lack of maternity care can all lead to a birth weight below normal.

Other reasons

Other causes that can cause the condition include genetic changes such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome. Inhibited growth can also be a result of malformations in the fetal organs, infections in the uterus and twin pregnancies.

How is intrauterine growth retardation diagnosed?

To detect and diagnose this condition, the pregnant woman must undergo prenatal checks and ultrasounds. This allows doctors to observe if the blood flow to the placenta is correct, and they can see if it is working properly.

These checks are simple and routine and do not pose a risk. They are important for preventing major complications.

What is the chance that a child will survive with stunted growth?

In most cases, children who have this condition recover quickly after birth. Depending on the weight of the child, doctors may recommend that the child be placed in an incubator until he or she can eat on their own and gain enough weight.