Intrauterine growth retardation: a comparative study of the perinatal outcome.

Abstract

AbstractA comparative study of the perinatal outcome, in 60 cases of intrauterine growth retardation (I.U.G.R.) which were antenatally monitored through clinical examinations and investigations, as against 60 cases which were not diagnosed and therefore remained unmonitored, was carried out. Besides epidemiological characteristics like age and parity, special attention was paid to antenatal care received by both groups, etiological factors involved, the time and method of diagnosis and the special investigations used. Only 18% in the unmonitored group, as compared to 33% in the monitored group required operative interference during delivery. The incidence of macerated and fresh stillbirths was 4 times more in the unmonitored group. The incidence of neonatal complications and neonatal deaths also showed a threefold increase in the unmonitored group. Only 53% in the unmonitored group as compared to 90% in the monitored group had a successful perinatal outcome, aptly depicting the value of prompt diagnosis and management of I.U.G.R.