Fetal hypotrophy

Fetal hypotrophy is a condition that is accompanied by a delay in the development of the child during pregnancy. The main cause of this disorder is considered to be a lack of placental blood flow, but this is only a secondary cause. Primary, which also impedes blood flow, can represent both problems with the mother's body, as well as diseases of the fetus or placenta.

Fetal hypotrophy: classification and causes of the disease

In modern medicine, it is customary to distinguish the symmetrical and asymmetric form of hypotrophy. Symmetric hypotrophy implies that during intrauterine development there is a uniform delay in the growth of all organs. This kind of hypotrophy is diagnosed already in the early stages of childbearing.

With asymmetric delay, the nervous system and bones tend to develop according to the timing of pregnancy, while other organs, such as the kidneys, are formed and grow much more slowly. In most cases, this disorder begins to develop after the onset of the 28th week of pregnancy.

In addition, there are three forms of severity. A light form means that the fetus is delayed for no more than two weeks. At the average form the fetus develops approximately 2-4 weeks more slowly. Severe fetal hypotrophy is a delay in intrauterine development no more than four weeks.

The main causes of hypotrophy can be divided into three general groups:

1. Disturbances from the developing fetus (congenital malformations, intrauterine infections);

2. Disorders from the placenta (inflammation, detachment, improper position, earlier aging);

3. Violation of the pregnant woman's body (alcohol, smoking, malnutrition, chronic diseases, dental caries, early or too late pregnancy, miscarriages, severe forms of toxicosis, fluctuations in blood pressure, improper working regimen).

Fetal hypotrophy: symptoms and diagnosis

Independently to determine the delay in the development of the future baby to notice is almost impossible. Nevertheless, the height of the standing of the bottom of the uterus and the indices of the circumference of the abdomen can signal possible violations. That is why a gynecologist is obliged to record these measurements at each examination. On the other hand, subcutaneous fat, individual physique of a woman often interfere with an accurate diagnosis.

Therefore, the surest way to determine the presence of hypotrophy is an ultrasound, during which the doctor can measure the length of the skeleton, volumes and all other parameters of the developing fetus.

Fetal hypotrophy: treatment

Treatment of such a violation is a long process, which includes whole sets of measures. It is worth noting that with a similar diagnosis, a pregnant woman should strictly follow all the recommendations of a doctor.

First, women are given a balanced diet. It is worth remembering that during the gestation of the child, the diet of the future mother should be high-grade and include protein foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as fish. If necessary, it is also prescribed a course of taking vitamin preparations that positively affect both the development of the fetus and the state of the mother's body.

Secondly, it is necessary to restore the rate of development of the fetus. To this end, the doctor must first discover the root cause of hypotrophy and take care of its treatment. In addition, mothers are prescribed vasodilator drugs that facilitate blood flow through the placenta. As these children develop hypoxia, they prescribe those drugs that restore the level of oxygen in the blood.

Quite often, pregnant women are diagnosed with fetal hypotrophy. The consequences of this disease, especially with timely detection and proper treatment, can be virtually invisible.