Intrauterine growth restriction retardation refers to a situation whereby the fetal weight is less than 10% weight attributed to the gestational age. Such a situation can cause fetal morbidity including mortality if the necessary medical action is not taken. One of the major causes of intrauterine growth restriction retardation is lack of adequate maternal-fetal circulation which causes slow fetal growth. However, there are other minor causes of intrauterine growth restriction retardation such as intrauterine infections and congenital anomalies. When proper diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction retardation is made, it is appropriate to try and reverse some of the obvious causes in order to slow down the progress of the disorder. It is recommended that close monitoring of the fetus up to 38 weeks of gestation be carried out since most infants with intrauterine growth restriction retardation end up having major medical and cognitive problems.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction Retardation Treatment
Medical research has established that many of the risk factor associated with intrauterine growth restriction retardation are hardly amenable to antenatal therapy. However, some of the alternative available in terms of treating intrauterine growth restriction retardation is through treating the mother as well as the growth-restricted fetus. This treatment is reflected in terms of practical processes such as;
Prenatal Management
Maternal hyper-oxygenation is regarded as one of the most viable treatment procedures for intrauterine growth restriction retardation. This is despite the fact that there is limited information regarding the effectiveness of prenatal management in treating intrauterine growth restriction retardation. Prenatal management include clinical procedures aimed at improving fetal lung maturity in order to reduce respiratory complications during and after birth. During the hyper-oxygenation process, there is the possibility that the pregnancy duration will be prolonged. However, a further administration of steroids can help accelerate the maturation period of the fetal lungs.
Labour and Delivery Management
The initial approach when it comes to the management of labor and delivery involves maternal bedrest that is aimed at increasing blood flow to the uterus. Over the years, medical research has established that most mothers are not aware of what they are supposed to do when it comes to facilitating safe delivery. This is the reason why some practices during pregnancies raise questions regarding just how well prepared some mothers are. A lot of bed rest is highly recommended by medical experts as it enhances blood flow which by extension means that some of the common risk factors of intrauterine growth restriction retardation. However, studies related to the efficacy of maternal bed rest have been inconclusive with the current recommendation being that such rest should be combined with fluid and oxygen therapy.
Frequent Ultrasound Monitoring
Intrauterine growth restriction retardation increases the possibility of an infant dying before birth. However, there are several methods that are used by physicians to establish whether the mother or the unborn child has intrauterine growth restriction retardation. Ultrasound examinations and analysis are carried out in order to ensure monitor the growth and development progress while at the same time ensuring that the blood flow and the amniotic are at the normal levels.
Antenatal Surveillance
This is perhaps one of the most important treatment procedure in intrauterine growth restriction retardation treatment. This is because, there is no specified therapy option that is universally used in intrauterine growth restriction retardation treatment. Most of the infants with intrauterine growth restriction retardation are constitutionally smaller which therefore increases the need for a consistent management plan during the gestation period at the time of pregnancy. If possible, there is the need to expedite the delivery of the baby. One of the delicate balance that physicians have to apply is choosing between the prospects and the risk of a premature birth against the risk of intrauterine demise.
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