Quick Question: SGA vs IUGR

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

What is the difference between the terms "small for gestational age" and "intrauterine growth restriction." The only thing I could find is that SGA is much more precise (weight is below the 10th percentile for gestational age), and IUGR is more of an umbrella term: "Failure of a fetus to grow as expected for gestational age because of maternal, placental, or fetal factors." I know the terms are often used interchangeably, but is there any practical distinction? Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject for me :kiss

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The SGA sounds right. But isn't IUGR off chart r/t what you mentioned?

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So what is the difference between SGA and IUGR?

  • These terms are related but not synonomous.

  • Not all IUGR infants are small enough to fit the qualifications for SGA.

  • Not all SGA infants are small because of a growth-restrictive process, and therefore, do not meet criteria for IUGR.

SGA=infant whose weight is lower than the population norms. weight is below 10th percentile for gestational age

cause can be pathologic or nonpathologic

IURG=failure of normal fetal growth caused by multiple adverse affects on fetus

due to process that inhibits normal growth potential of fetus.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Thanks! This helps a lot :)

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Specializes in NICU.

I think SGA babies are proportionately smaller, while an IUGR baby can look like it's been starved. The head looks big in relation to the body, like the nutrition has gone to protect the brain.

Does that make sense?

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