MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Small for gestational age (SGA)

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Small for gestational age (SGA)

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Alternative Names Definition	Information

Alternative Names

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR); Low birth weight

Definition Return to top

Small for gestational age (SGA) means a fetus or infant is smaller in size than normal for the baby's gender and gestational age.

Information Return to top

Ultrasound is used to find out if a fetus is smaller-than-normal for age (intrauterine growth restriction). The most widely used definition of SGA is birth weight below the 10th percentile.

A fetus with intrauterine growth restriction will be small in size and can have problems such as:

Increased red blood cells (polycythemia)
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low body temperature (hypothermia)

Update Date: 8/17/2007

Updated by: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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