Perinatal Outcome in Growth Restricted Fetuses of Normotensive Pregnant Women at a Tertiary Referral Centre in Kerala, India: A Cross Sectional Study.

Introduction: Foetal growth restriction (FGR), is a condition that occurs due to various reasons. It is an important cause of foetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. It has been defined as a rate of foetal growth that is less than the growth potential of that specific infantor as having birth weight less than two standard deviations below the mean or less than the 10th percentile of a population-specific birth weight for specific gestational age. It has been found to be associated with a variety of adverse perinatal outcomes. These infants have many acute neonatal problems that include perinatal asphyxia, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, polycythaemiaetc. The likely long-term complications that are prone to develop when FGR infants grow up includes growth retardation, major and subtle neurodevelopmental handicaps etc. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all growth restricted babies born in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Government Medical College, IMCH Kozhikodeduring the study period and their mothers. Multiple pregnancy with growth restriction were excluded from the study. Babies born outside IMCH but being referred to IMCH were also excluded. Socio -demographic and fetomaternal characteristics were collected after getting consent. Maternal data regarding socio-demographic variables including age, domicile (rural/urban), socio-economic status, data regarding gestational age, nature of ANC, past obstetric history including parity. Results: Perinatal mortality rate was 64.2/1000 in growth restricted babies born to normotensive mother group. The stillbirth rate was 36.6/1000 in growth restricted babies born to normotensive mother group. Fetal growthrestriction occurred more in rural womencompared to urban women. Women below poverty line had more fetal growth restriction compared to the women above poverty line and the difference was statistically significant. Early neonatal mortality rate was 28/1000 live IUGR babies in normotensive group. Conclusion: Mothers belonging to low socio-economic status have high risk of delivering babies with growth restriction. This is because of inadequate dietary intake, increased physical activity, passive smoking, increased rate of infections and low educational levels leading to decreased awareness regarding health care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]