Intrauterine growth restriction is a fetal condition that doctors must be on the lookout for during pregnancy. In this article, we’ll define the term “intrauterine growth restriction” and explain how it relates to birth injury law.
Key Takeaways
- Intrauterine growth restriction is when a fetus is smaller than it should be for its gestational age
- There are two types of intrauterine growth restriction: symmetric and asymmetric
- Causes of intrauterine growth restriction include placenta issues, low blood count, high blood pressure, and more
- Intrauterine growth restriction can be diagnosed through fundal height tests and ultrasounds, and better understood through fetal monitoring and amniocentesis
- Risks of intrauterine growth restriction include emergency delivery, lack of oxygen, low blood sugar, and more
- When a healthcare professional fails to properly detect or respond to intrauterine growth restriction, it may be considered negligence
What Is Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)?
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), also called fetal growth restriction (FGR), is when a fetus is smaller than it should be for its gestational age. Specifically, intrauterine growth restriction is defined as a fetus weighing below the 10th percentile, or less than nine out of ten fetuses of the same gestational age.
Intrauterine growth restriction affects about 10% of all pregnancies. It’s not always a sign that something is wrong, but it can point to an underlying medical condition and may lead to complications.
Types of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
- Symmetric (or primary) - Accounting for 30% of intrauterine growth restriction cases, symmetric intrauterine growth restriction is when all of the fetus’s body parts are small in size
- Asymmetric (or secondary) - Accounting for up to 80% of all intrauterine growth restriction cases, asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction is when only the fetus’s abdomen is small
Causes of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Some common causes of intrauterine growth restriction include:
- Issues with the placenta
- Issues with the umbilical cord
- Kidney disease
- Anti-seizure medications
- Autoimmune conditions
- Smoking, alcohol, or recreational drugs
- Twins or triplets.
- Having had a previous baby with intrauterine growth restriction
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Low blood count
- Infections such as rubella, syphilis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), or toxoplasmosis
- Diabetes
Diagnosing Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Intrauterine growth restriction can be detected through several tests.
- Fundal height test - This test measures the size of the pregnant parent’s belly from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. It is measured in centimeters and, after 20 weeks, should be about the same as the number of weeks of pregnancy. If the fundal test measures four centimeters less than what is expected, it may indicate possible intrauterine growth restriction.
- Ultrasound - Ultrasounds are used to monitor a fetus throughout pregnancy to estimate its size and weight, as well as to check the blood flow through the placenta.
- Fetal monitoring - Tracking the fetus’s heart rate can help detect potential growth issues.
- Amniocentesis - By taking a sample of the amniotic fluid, doctors may be able to determine possible congenital causes of intrauterine growth restriction.
Risks of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Some possible risks and complications of intrauterine growth restriction are:
- Low blood sugar at birth
- Increased number of red blood cells
- Trouble regulating body temperature
- Problems fighting infection
- Meconium aspiration
- Breathing and eating problems at birth
- Increased risk for cesarean section delivery and premature birth
- Lack of oxygen at birth
Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Birth Injury Law
When a fetus has intrauterine growth restriction, it’s important for doctors to monitor it closely and be ready to perform an early delivery or an emergency cesarean section the moment they see signs of fetal distress. If a healthcare professional fails to properly detect or respond to intrauterine growth restriction, it is negligent. And if it causes a birth injury, it may be considered medical malpractice.
If your baby experienced a birth injury as a result of a healthcare provider’s negligent behavior, you may be entitled to compensation. It is recommended that you speak to an experienced birth injury attorney to receive consultation about your case.
