Intrauterine growth retardation: characteristics, risk factors and gestational age

Abstract

Maternal, obstetrical, and neonatal factors were studied in 1604 pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth retardation and 1604 non-IUGR controls. These were examined in the overall IUGR group and at various gestational ages. Eighty-six percent of perinatal deaths were found in the IUGR group with 57.4% occurring prior to labor. Maternal smoking, low weight gain, low prepregnancy weight, and hypertention were found more frequently in the IUGR population. In addition, maternal hypertension was found to be significant in the IUGR infants delivered prematurely.