Fetal growth restriction is a condition that can lead to various complications and requires careful monitoring. In this article, we’ll define the term “fetal growth restriction” and explain how it relates to birth injury law.
Key Takeaways
- Fetal growth restriction is a condition in which a fetus is smaller than expected for its gestational age
- Causes of fetal growth restriction include diabetes, obesity, poor nutrition, and more
- Symptoms of fetal growth restriction include low blood sugar, low birth weight, lower body temperature, and more
- Fetal growth restriction can be diagnosed via fundal height, fetal ultrasound, and Doppler ultrasound tests
- Treatments for fetal growth restriction include frequent monitoring, early delivery, and emergency cesarean section
- If a doctor’s failure to properly detect or respond to fetal growth restriction results in birth injury, it may be considered medical malpractice
What Is Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)?
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition in which a fetus is smaller than expected for its gestational age. This is sometimes specified as being an estimated weight less than the tenth percentile, meaning the fetus weighs less than nine out of ten babies at the same gestational age.
Fetal growth restriction can begin at any time during pregnancy and may affect the fetus’s overall size as well as the growth of its organs, tissues, and cells. This can cause a variety of complications.
Causes of Fetal Growth Restriction
Fetal growth restriction can be caused by a number of things, namely issues with the placenta or the umbilical cord, which facilitate the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the fetus.
Factors in the birthing parent that can cause fetal growth restriction include:
- Very low weight
- Cigarette smoking
- Too few red blood cells
- Diabetes
- Alcohol or drug use
- High blood pressure or other heart and blood vessel disease
- Obesity
- Long-term lung or kidney conditions
- Poor nutrition or weight gain
- Autoimmune conditions such as lupus
Factors in the fetus that can cause fetal growth restriction include:
- Being one of a twin or triplets
- Infections
- Birth defects, such as heart defects
- Problem with genes or chromosomes
Symptoms of Fetal Growth Restriction
Common signs and symptoms of fetal growth restriction include:
- High level of red blood cells
- Low blood sugar levels
- Low birth weight
- Trouble fighting infections
- Lower body temperature
Diagnosing Fetal Growth Restriction
There are a few tests that can be used to diagnose fetal growth restriction, including:
- Fundal height - This test requires measuring from the top of the pregnant parent’s pubic bone to the top of the uterus. After 20 weeks, this measurement in centimeters should be approximately the same as the number of weeks of pregnancy.
- Fetal ultrasound - One of the best ways to find FGR, ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the fetus
- Doppler ultrasound - This test checks the blood flow to the placenta and through the umbilical cord
Treatments for Fetal Growth Restriction
Some treatments that may be used for fetal growth restriction include:
- Hospital stay
- Frequent monitoring, including ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound
- Tracking fetal movements
- Early delivery
- Emergency cesarean section
- Corticosteroid medicine
Fetal Growth Restriction and Birth Injury Law
Fetuses affected by fetal growth restriction have a lack of oxygen and nutrients, often leading to a number of issues including:
- Hypoglycemia
- Low oxygen levels
- Polycythemia
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
- Low blood platelet count caused from placental insufficiency
- Hypothermia
- Cerebral palsy
- An abnormal decrease in the number of white blood cells
- Decreased blood flow
- Meconium aspiration
- Pulmonary hemorrhage
- Long-term heart problems
- Motor and neurological disabilities
- Brain damage
- Abnormally low blood calcium level
- Fetal distress
Because of the risk of fetal distress and other complications, medical professionals must closely monitor a fetus with fetal growth restriction and be ready to perform an emergency cesarean section if necessary. A failure to do so can cause birth injury and may be considered medical malpractice.
If your baby experienced a birth injury because healthcare professionals did not properly detect or respond to fetal growth restriction, it is recommended that you speak to a birth injury lawyer. They will be able to review your case and help determine if you are eligible for compensation.
