Babies who are small or growing slowly (2024)

FAQs

Babies who are small or growing slowly? ›

Your baby may be small because they are not growing as well as they should. This is called 'growth restricted'. There are a number of reasons why your baby may be growth restricted, for example: your placenta isn't working as it should - this may be due to high blood pressure or preeclampsia.

Growth restriction early in pregnancy (early onset) can happen because of chromosome problems in the baby. It can also happen because of disease in the mother, or severe problems with the placenta. Growth restriction is called late onset if it happens after week 32 of the pregnancy. It's often linked to other problems.

Most babies do not have any health problems but are just smaller than others and this is normal for them. However, sometimes babies are small because they have not grown as well as expected. This is called being 'growth restricted'. The smaller your baby is, the more likely they are to be growth restricted.

Many studies have shown that growth-restricted children show catch-up growth in the first years after birth (1–6). Catch-up growth is recognized when a child shows accelerated growth, which is visualized as an upward crossing of its centiles in length or weight growth.

Being small for gestational age (SGA) or having fetal growth restriction (FGR) may be associated with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to being appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Some children simply don't produce enough growth hormone, including those born with a poorly developed pituitary gland. Malnutrition. Whether caused by an inadequate food supply, an eating disorder, or an underlying condition or treatment that affects appetite, lack of nourishment is a common cause of growth delay.

Risks of fetal growth restriction

FGR increases the risk of pregnancy complications and premature birth. In the most serious cases, this can sadly include stillbirth. Almost half of all stillbirths in the UK are thought to be caused by FGR. The risk is still low though – most babies with FGR will be born healthy.

Some babies with low birthweight are healthy, even though they're small. But having a low weight at birth can cause serious health problems for some babies. A baby who is very small at birth may have trouble eating, gaining weight and fighting off infections. Some may have long-term health problems, too.

Many babies are otherwise healthy except for being small, so it is likely safe to try vagin*l delivery. Babies that are severely growth restricted or that have abnormal Doppler patterns may not do well with labor, so C-section may be indicated. A discussion with your doctor is always recommended.

Intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR, is when a baby in the womb (a fetus) does not grow as expected. The baby is not as big as would be expected for the stage of the mother's pregnancy.

Will a small baby always be small? ›

About 2/3 of small babies are simply “constitutionally small”. These babies are absolutely healthy. They grew appropriately during the pregnancy but were always destined to weigh 6 pounds rather than 10 pounds. Just as there is a range of different heights for adults, there is a range of healthy sizes for babies.

It's possible for the fetus to measure small but still be healthy and not at an increased risk for complications. Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns you have.

Prematurity, medical problems (ranging from stroke to chronic ear infection), lead poisoning, and trauma all have the potential to cause developmental delay, but sometimes the cause is unknown.

There are a number of reasons why your baby may be growth restricted, for example: your placenta isn't working as it should - this may be due to high blood pressure or preeclampsia. Smoking and using drugs can also affect how healthy your placenta is. an infection during your pregnancy has affected your baby.

Although some babies are small because their parents are small, 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, he or she does not grow as much as normal.

What causes babies to be small for gestational age? 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. Many of these babies have a condition called intrauterine growth restriction.

Often, IUGR happens because the fetus doesn't get enough nutrients and nourishment. This can happen if there is a problem with: the placenta, the tissue that brings nutrients and oxygen to the developing baby. the blood flow in the umbilical cord, which connects the baby to the placenta.

Some babies who aren't growing well have what's known as fetal growth restriction. This means they're smaller and lighter than they should be for that stage of pregnancy. Your baby's growth measurement should be recorded at all of your check-ups.

Some reasons why the fetus could be measuring small or behind for gestational age are: You are petite or have strong abdominal muscles. You have oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). The fetus has already dropped into your pelvis.