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Am J Perinatol 1988; 5(3): 267-271
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999701
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1988 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Risk Factors Associated with Severely Small for Gestational Age Neonates

Arja H. Tenovuo, Pentti 0. Kero, Heikki J. Korvenranta, Risto U. Erkkola, Pekka J. Klemi, Juhani Tuominen
  • Departments of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology, and Biostatistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Risk factors were studied in 118 severely small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The control infants were matched for gestational age and mode of delivery. A low maternal prepregnancy weight and a maternal history of a previous SGA infant were the most important prepregnancy risk factors, whereas poor weight gain during pregnancy, toxemia, and smoking were the most important pregnancy-related risk factors associated with severely SGA infants. The two groups were similar for primiparity, previous abortions, and placental abnormalities in mothers and for parental ages and heights. Thirty percent of SGA infants were diagnosed antenatally. Most of the risk factors cannot be avoided, butthe effects of these risk factors on the fetus and neonatecan be minimized by careful screening and observation of mothers with these risk factors.