Intrauterine growth restriction occurs when the fetus is unable to grow properly while in the mother's womb. This entails the fetus being less than 10 percent of its predicted fetal weight upon its gestational age.
This often results in intrauterine growth restriction retardation, a condition where the child develops a form of mental impairment. This often comes about as the child's brain functions have not developed as well as they normally should.
Sometimes this can develop due to the mother being unable to attain the proper nutrition she requires during the pregnancy. However, there are also times when a lack of oxygen factors into the condition. The inability of the fetus to receive oxygen can inhibit cellular production around the entire body.
Intrauterine growth restriction retardation symptoms are often visible during pregnancy exams performed by doctors. A doctor is responsible for identifying such problems and asking for additional tests in the event that those symptoms are found.
Not Feeling Pregnant
One telltale symptom of the child's likelihood to develop retardation comes from how the mother feels during the pregnancy. She may feel as though she is not pregnant even if she really is. The trademark lump on the woman's abdomen that shows she is pregnant may also be either very small or even nonexistent. The potential damage to the child may be greater if the mother is unaware of her pregnancy for an extended period of time.
Premature Birth
A child that is born prematurely often comes because that child has lost the ability to develop within the womb. The child will eventually leave the womb early and may require intense physical therapy and support. The risk of a child developing breathing difficulties or infections upon a premature birth is greater than it is for other children. The brain may not be developed properly either, thus causing the child to suffer from several mental disabilities. The child may be at risk of developing autism and other commonplace neurological disorders. The potential for the child's IQ to be negatively impacted later on in life is also a realistic concern.
Low Birth Weight
Additional symptoms can also be found upon birth and are suggestive of the child struggling to develop while in the womb. Many of these symptoms may result in serious medical concerns later in the child's life. The most common of all intrauterine growth restriction retardation symptoms is a low birth weight.
A low birth weight entails the infant being substantially smaller than average. The infant can be about half the size of a typical child upon birth. This can cause breathing difficulties during infancy plus an inability of the brain to receive the oxygen it demands. Such problems require extensive hospitalization or monitoring to ensure that the child is capable of developing properly and will not be at any further risk of serious physical threats.
Extremely High Red Blood Cell Count
There is also a potential for the child to develop a higher number of red blood cells than necessary. This could prevent the child from developing healthy white blood cells that are necessary for fighting off infections. This may also cause the child to receive too much oxygen as an excess amount may be transported into the brain. This can cause extreme fatigue within the brain, thus potentially killing off some tissues if the condition is not remedied.
Doctors must analyze a pregnant woman's development during a pregnancy. The mother must receive proper nutritional support and examinations to ensure that she will be less likely to develop serious birthing concerns that may promote intrauterine growth restriction retardation symptoms.
Source:
- “Intrauterine Growth Retardation.” American Family Physician. 58(6). October (1998).
