Developmental assessment of intrauterine growth retarded babies of varying maternal etiology.

Head circumference was measured serially and developmental performance assessed at the age of 9 months in 41 full-term intrauterine growth retarded babies of varying maternal etiologies. 18 full term and 12 preterm babies who were appropriate for gestational age (AGA) served as controls. The IUGR babies of undernourished mothers had maximum retardation in head circumference. The IUGR babies of small sized mothers had head circumference equal to that of fullterm AGA babies. The IUGR babies of mothers with toxemia of pregnancy and idiopathic group also reached very close to that of fullterm AGA babies for head circumference demonstrating catch up growth. 19.5 per cent of IUGR (as homogenous group) babies were found to have delayed development compared to 16.7 per cent of preterm and 5.6 per cent of fullterm AGA babies. Amongst IUGR groups, babies of undernourished mothers were found to suffer most, followed by babies of mothers with toxemia of pregnancy. None of the babies in the idiopathic group and only one out of 12 in small maternal size group were found to have delayed development.