IUGR and SGA are two different fetal conditions. Some health professionals use the terms intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and being born small for gestational age (SGA) interchangeably. But strictly speaking, they communicate different aspects of fetal growth.
The key difference between IUGR and SGA is their nature. In IUGR, the fetal weight is estimated to be below the 10th percentile for its gestational age, while in SGA, a fetus or an infant is smaller than normal for the baby’s sex and gestational age.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is IUGR
3. What is SGA
4. Similarities – IUGR and SGA
5. IUGR vs SGA in Tabular Form
6. Summary – IUGR vs SGA
7. FAQ – IUGR and SGA
What is IUGR?
IUGR, also known as fetal growth restriction, occurs when the estimated fetal weight is below the 10th percentile for its gestational age. In this condition, the fetus doesn’t grow at the expected rate inside the uterus, often due to issues with the placenta or umbilical cord. While people typically don’t experience symptoms, they may notice that the belly or fetus isn’t as large as expected.
IUGR can be diagnosed through ultrasound, fetal monitoring, and amniocentesis after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Furthermore, treatment options for this condition may include increased monitoring, early delivery, and corticosteroid medications to help the baby’s lungs develop.
What is SGA?
SGA means that a fetus or infant is smaller or less developed than normal for the baby’s sex and gestational age. It can be caused by genetic diseases, inherited metabolic diseases, chromosome anomalies, multiple gestations, abnormal placenta, and high blood pressure. After delivery, SGA babies may appear thin and pale and have loose, dry skin.
SGA can be diagnosed through ultrasound, Doppler flow, mother’s weight gain, and gestational assessment. Furthermore, the treatment of SGA is supportive care, such as putting the patient in a temperature-controlled bed or incubator to keep warm and providing extra oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
Similarities Between IUGR and SGA
- IUGR and SGA are two different fetal conditions.
- Some health professionals use the terms interchangeably.
- Both conditions can occur together.
- They can be diagnosed through ultrasound.
- They can be treated through supportive care.
Difference Between IUGR and SGA
Definition
- IUGR is a condition that occurs where the fetal weight is estimated to be below the 10th percentile for its gestational age.
- SGA is a condition that occurs when a fetus or infant is smaller or less developed than normal for the baby’s sex and gestational age.
Causes
- IUGR is typically linked to issues with the placenta or umbilical cord.
- SGA can be caused by genetic diseases, inherited metabolic diseases, chromosome anomalies, multiple gestations, abnormal placenta, and high blood pressure.
Signs and Symptoms
- IUGR usually presents without noticeable symptoms, though individuals may perceive a smaller-than-expected belly or fetus.
- After delivery, SGA babies may appear thin and pale, with loose, dry skin.
Diagnosis
- IUGR diagnosis involves ultrasound, fetal monitoring, and amniocentesis after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- SGA diagnosis includes ultrasound, Doppler flow, assessment of the mother’s weight gain, and gestational assessment.
Treatment
- Treatment for IUGR may include increased monitoring, early delivery, and corticosteroid medications to aid in the baby’s lung development.
- SGA babies may receive supportive care, such as placement in a temperature-controlled bed or incubator for warmth and possibly extra oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
The infographic below presents the differences between IUGR and SGA in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – IUGR vs SGA
Fetal conditions occur as the unborn baby develops in the womb. IUGR and SGA are two different fetal conditions. Some health professionals use the terms interchangeably. Despite their similarities, IUGR reflects fetal distress, while SGA only provides a measure of size. Moreover, SGA is not a direct measure of the antenatal growth quality of the fetus. This is the summary of the difference between IUGR and SGA.
FAQ: IUGR and SGA
1. What is IUGR and the survival rate for babies with IUGR conditions?
- IUGR is a condition where the fetal weight is estimated to be below the 10th percentile for its gestational age, and severe and early IUGR is associated with an overall survival rate of 61.2%.
2. What are the maternal causes of IUGR?
- The suspected causes of IUGR are maternal factors such as inadequate or severe malnutrition, chronic maternal diseases, birth order, multiple births, parental genetic factors, and placental pathology (placental vascular damage that may lead to placental insufficiency).
3. Can IUGR be treated?
- Various treatment methods for IUGR are bed rest, increased or supplemental food intake to increase the baby’s weight, and treatment of any medical condition that may be recommended.
4. What are the risks of SGA babies?
- SGA babies are at increased risk for other complications such as prematurity, neonatal asphyxia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, polycythemia, sepsis, and death.
5. Can SGA babies be healthy?
- Most newborns who are moderately SGA are healthy babies who just happen to be on the smaller side. They can be managed through proper supportive care, such as putting them in a temperature-controlled bed or incubator to keep them warm and providing extra oxygen or mechanical ventilation.
Reference:
1. “IUGR vs SGA..” Child Growth Foundation.
2. “Intrauterine Growth Retardation.” ScienceDirect.
Image Courtesy:
1. “RCIU harmonieux et dysharmonieux” By Fleiss B, Wong F, Brownfoot F, Shearer IK, Baud O, Walker DW, Gressens P and Tolcos M (2019) Knowledge Gaps and Emerging Research Areas in Intrauterine Growth Restriction-Associated Brain Injury. Front. Endocrinol. 10:188. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00188 – (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Premature baby at intensive care nursery” By kqedquest (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED) via Flickr