Risk Factors and Short Term Morbidities Associated With Term-Small for Gestational Age Babies Delivered at Nepalgunj Medical College

Abstract

Introduction: Small for gestational age (SGA) refers to birth weight of neonates less than 10^th percentile for gestational age or 2^nd standard deviation below the population norms on the growth charts.

Aims: To identify common risk factors and common morbidities for small for gestational age babies.

Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study and it has been conducted at Department of pediatrics, Nepalgunj Medical college which is a tertiary level teaching hospital located in western part of Nepal. All term small for gestational age neonates born during study period from January 2020 to December 2020 were included. Detailed baseline demographic and clinical profile has been collected and recorded in the predesigned Proforma.

Results: The most common risk factors associated with small for gestational age babies in our study were maternal hypertension (14.6%) , maternal GDM(9.6%), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in 1^st or 2^nd trimester of pregnancy, maternal anemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypothyroidism and congenital heart disease. The most common short term complications associated with Small for gestational age babies were hypoglycemia and Meconium aspiration syndrome.

Conclusion: The most common risk factors associated with Small for gestational age  babies in our study were maternal hypertension, maternal Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM), Urinary Tract Infection  in 1^st or 2^nd trimester of pregnancy, maternal anemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypothyroidism and congenital heart disease. The most common short term complications associated with Small for gestational age  babies were hypoglycemia and Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS).