SGA vs, IUGR

Published

Specializes in NICU.

Hello. Here is my second question. What is the difference between SGA and IUGR? Your help means a lot to me.

Thanks........

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

A baby that is SGA is a baby whose weight is below the 10th percentile for gestational age (by dates, and/or by assessment). SGA babies can be term, preterm, or postterm.

IUGR babies are ones who haven't grown in utero at the rate they'd be expected to. A lot of IUGR babies are SGA, but not all.

IUGR can be symmetrical -- or maybe a better way to put it would be that ALL of their measurements (height, weight, and head circumference) are less than what you'd expect for that particular gestation. Or it can be asymmetrical -- say, two of the three measurements are normal, but the third is less than expected. Say their HC and length are normal, but the weight is low. Those babies look really wasted and malnourished, and a lot look like their heads are too big for their bodies.

This is a really short answer; this post could go on and on, and maybe there's someone who knows a better way to explain it than this. But either way, I hope it helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I found a table at the very bottom of this page that might be of interest to you:

http://radiology.creighton.edu/fetalbio.htm#section4

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

You guys are great. Thanks for helping me to clear this up. I am planning on printing that link and putting it in my orientation folder.:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Also, www.neonatology.com has a whole index of conditions. You might want to check it out to see what an IUGR baby looks like, vs. an SGA one. Might be there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

an ft infant can be iugr, how do we say that sga is iugr??????

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

IUGR babies are usually associated with something that prevents them from growing well, such as PIH, poor placental perfusion, TORCH infections. SGA means you grew a little baby lol That is the simplest way to put it. But, and IUGR can be SGA...which is confusing lol My one daughter was SGA...she was just little, I didn't have any problems, she didn't have any problems. My best friend had an IUGR baby because she was hypertensive for most of her pregnancy and her placenta wasn't doing a good job.

But I have to say....IUGR babies are one of my most favorite ones to take care of lol The best one was a 34 weeker that weighed 900 gms...she was awesome....little but thought she was a big baby lol We also had a 28 weeker that weighed 450gm...she did okay, she had a few issues, but by far did well. We didn't think she would be alive after a few days, but she surprised us all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

But I have to say....IUGR babies are one of my most favorite ones to take care of lol

Me too :)
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D,Mother/Baby, WHNP,Educator,NICU.

May I ask why they are one of your favorites since I am new to NICU? Thanks!:redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

They are just sooo darn cute!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

They are! They are older babies in these little bodies...most of the time they don't really have any problems except they are small! They are bright eyed and bushy tailed, that is for sure lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Don't underestimate them, tho! Most of the time they do great, but they have a propensity for getting septic and doing other funky things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion