Fetal growth velocities in pregnancies with neonatal features of intrauterine malnourishment.
Measurements of neonatal morphometry provide a better indicator of fetal growth achievement than birthweight for gestational age. This study describes the intrauterine growth velocities of the fetal head and trunk of 33 infants with skinfold thickness measurements below the tenth percentile; 16 (48%) of the infants had birthweights above the tenth percentile. Growth velocity of the head was not significantly different from the reference population whereas the trunk growth velocity was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates for the first time that infants with morphometric features of intrauterine malnourishment, regardless of birthweight, are subject to differential growth restriction in utero.
Owen
P
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Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee-Scotland United Kingdom.
D001724:Birth Weight; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012885:Skinfold Thickness