Factors influencing fetal growth.
Birth weight remains one of the most important measures we have of the health status of a population, and is a strong predictor of both neonatal mortality and morbidity. It reflects maternal nutritional status and fetal growth rates in the antenatal period. Although a large number of physiological and pathological variables can affect the growth rate, for most cases of growth-restricted fetuses a cause cannot be determined. Awareness of the physiological aspects of fetal growth is important in assessing whether the fetus is growing normally. This article is a review of recent findings and key historical material on factors influencing birth weight.
Mongelli
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260.
D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy