A baby who is small for gestational age (SGA) has a lower weight than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes this raises the risk
of early birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and other problems
.
When do SGA babies catch up?
Catch-up growth of infants born SGA mainly occurs from
6 months to 2 years
and approximately 85% of SGA children will have caught up by age 2 years2,17,18,19). SGA children are at high-risk of developing permanent short stature, and 10% continue to fall below the 3rd percentile of height into adulthood20).
What are small for gestational age babies at risk for?
Infants whose weight is < the 10th percentile for gestational age are classified as small for gestational age. Complications include
perinatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration, polycythemia, and hypoglycemia
.
Why are SGA infants at risk for hypoglycemia?
The SGA babies are more vulnerable to hypoglycemia
because of lower glycogen stores and higher energy requirements
. Hypoglycemia was 2.3 times more common in babies whose mothers had received intravenous fluids (5% dextrose) during labour.
What issues can occur with a SGA fetus?
Babies with SGA and/or IUGR may have problems at birth including the following:
Decreased oxygen levels
.
Low Apgar scores
(an assessment that helps identify babies with difficulty adapting after delivery) Meconium aspiration (inhalation of the first stools passed in utero) which can lead to difficulty breathing.
Why is SGA bad?
SGA may show that
the baby is getting less oxygen than normal
. This increases the health risks for the baby during pregnancy, delivery, and afterward. Babies with SGA may have problems at birth, such as: Lower oxygen levels.
How do I know if my baby is SGA?
Some small-for-gestational-age newborns
appear thin and have less muscle mass and fat
, and some have sunken facial features (called wizened facies). The umbilical cord can appear thin and small.
Can small babies catch up?
If there are no other complications,
low birth weight babies
usually ‘catch up’ in their physical growth. In later life, however, people who were born smaller than average are more likely to develop diabetes, obesity, heart problems and high blood pressure.
What causes small babies?
Some babies are small because their parents are small. But most babies who are small for gestational age have
growth problems that
happen during pregnancy. When the unborn baby does not get enough oxygen or nutrients during pregnancy, they don’t grow as much as normal. The condition is often suspected before birth.
Do small babies stay small?
Babies who are born small for their gestational age (SGA)
tend to remain small as children
. This study tracked SGA babies past their adolescent growth spurt and found that they are likely to become short adults as well.
Should I worry if baby is measuring small?
No,
there’s not necessarily anything wrong if your baby
is small for dates. Babies grow at different rates and some are simply smaller than average. Measurements aren’t always accurate either. Your midwife may offer you a growth scan though, to be on the safe side.
Is a 5lb baby small?
These babies have birth weight below the 10th percentile. This means they are smaller than many other babies of the same gestational age. Many babies normally weigh more than 5 pounds, 13 ounces by the 37th week of pregnancy. Babies born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8
ounces are considered low birth weight
.
What is an average size newborn?
The average length of full-term babies at birth is
20 in. (50 cm)
, although the normal range is 18 in. (45.7 cm) to 22 in. (60 cm).
How is infant hypoglycemia treated?
Treatment includes
giving the baby a fast-acting source of glucose
. This may be as simple as a glucose and water mixture or formula as an early feeding. Or your baby may need glucose given through an IV. The baby’s blood glucose levels are checked after treatment to see if the hypoglycemia occurs again.
Does hypoglycemia in newborns go away?
The outlook is good for newborns who do not have symptoms, or who respond well to treatment. However, low blood sugar
level can return in a small number of babies after treatment
. The condition is more likely to return when babies are taken off fluids given through a vein before they are fully ready to eat by mouth.
Can low blood sugar hurt my baby?
Does low blood sugar affect the baby?
Mild hypoglycemia is unlikely to harm the developing baby unless it could harm the mother
. In most cases, simply eating more or adjusting medication will prevent the risk of any harm. Women who have severe hypoglycemia may need to be hospitalized or monitored.
