Risk Factors for Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Its Neonatal Outcome

Introduction: IUGR is the failure of the fetus to reach its growth potential. Fetal growth is regulated at multiple levels. Besides maternal disorder, fetal structural and chromosomal anomalies are the added factors. The morbidities associated with IUGR could have long term implications in adult life which predisposes in a development of a number of chronic diseases. Objectives: To identify the various risk factors for IUGR and its neonatal outcome. Methodology: It is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, Chitwan, Nepal in which total of 60 cases of clinically diagnosed IUGR were enrolled during the study period of 2 years. Results: The study revealed maximum number of cases (38.3%) belonged to age between 26 to 30 years. IUGR was common in Multigavida (75%), rural area (78.3%), lower socioeconomic status (63.3%) and in manual worker (56.7%). Maternal (41.66%) was the commonest followed by Placental (16.66%) and Fetal (1.66%) causes. IUGR was observed in 43.3% with normal AFI and severe oligohydraminos <5 cm was observed in 21.7%. Doppler velocimetry showed abnormal umbilical S/D ratio in 2 (15.38%). Most of the patients (61.66%) required caesarean section. A total of 36 (60%) neonate had birth weight ranging between 2.5 to 3.0 kg and 83.01% had asymmetrical IUGR. Fifteen (25%) neonates had morbidity but there was no mortality. Conclusion: Even though IUGR continued to be a challenge and could be tackled with systemic approach and needful management, especially with the help of Ultrasonography and Doppler velocimetry.