Risk Factors and Acute Complications of Small for Gestational Age Term Newborns

Aim: To describe the risk factors in the mothers which could contribute to the SGA babies and acute complications in SGA babies. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in the Departments of Obstetrics and Paediatric Medicine, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from March 2013 to December 2013. A total of 50 small for gestational age full term newborns were included in the study. Result: The results of study showed that the percentage of SGA was 6.5% with male to female ratio of 1.1:1. And 72% SGA babies in this study were asymmetrical. Most common risk factors present in the mothers of SGA babies were malnutrition (52%), pregnancy at the extremes of age (72%) and a short inter-pregnancy interval (<1 year) 46.7%. Lack of antenatal care visits and hypertensive disease of pregnancy were present in 42% mothers in each and majority of mothers of SGA babies belonged to low socioeconomic status (68%). Conclusion: The most common complications developed in the SGA babies were hypothermia, perinatal asphyxia, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and hypocalcaemia.