Fetal hypotrophy

Hypotrophy-what it is

A gynecologist performing an ultrasound exam evaluates, among other things. fetal growth. Relates the estimated weight of the baby to centile grids appropriate for the gestational age. If the weight is below the 10th percentile, fetal hypotrophy is then diagnosed. This means that the baby is too small compared to other babies at the same week of pregnancy.

When defining hypotrophy, the abbreviations SGA and FGR are used. These are abbreviations from English-small for gestational age and fetal growth restriction. SGA is defined as a fetus that is small, but there are no complications of pregnancy or disease in the child. Most often it is related to genetic conditions ie. The parents are also undersized. FGR, on the other hand, is growth restriction, which is associated with higher perinatal risk and often co-occurs with pregnancy complications such as poor vascular flow.

Hypotrophy used to be divided into symmetrical and asymmetrical. Nowadays, we have moved away from this division in favor of limiting early-onset and late-onset growth. The limit is a gestational age of 32. weeks.

Hypotrophy- management

Pregnant patients diagnosed with hypotrophy require more frequent visits to the gynecologist, usually every 2 weeks, to monitor fetal well-being. An OCT test with STV (short-term variability) assessment is also performed. Pregnant women can also receive care at special fetal hypotrophy clinics operating at maternity hospitals. More frequent monitoring is necessary to detect possible complications such as abnormal flows in time and terminate the pregnancy earlier. Induction of labor for fetal hypotrophy is usually performed after the 37th birthday. One week of pregnancy.

If fetal growth restriction is found, additional diagnostics may also be carried out in the pregnancy pathology department for, among other things. TORCH diseases that can cause hypotrophy. Some patients are also offered a diagnostic amniocentesis.

Hypotrophy- consequences

A common complication of pregnancy with fetal hypotrophy is hypoxia and centralization of the baby’s circulation requiring faster termination of the pregnancy. Signs of child endangerment are also evident, among others. in the KTG recording as tachycardia (acceleration of heart rate) or decreased short-term variability.  Hypotrophy also has a higher risk of prematurity and its complications. If the cause of growth restriction was a TORCH infectious disease, the newborn may present other symptoms caused by the infection in question. After birth, babies with hypotrophy are more likely to have low blood glucose or respiratory distress. However, it is important to be under the constant care of a specialist if growth restriction is detected.