SMALL-FOR-MENSTRUAL-AGE INFANTS - DIFFERENT SUBGROUPS DETECTED USING INDIVIDUALIZED FETAL GROWTH ASSESSMENT

Our purpose was to study the individual fetal growth patterns of infan ts who were born small-for-menstrual-age. Growth in the second and thi rd trimester was assessed in 98 small-for-menstrual-age infants, using individual fetal growth curves generated by the growth model: P = c(t )k+s(t). Growth indices were compared with those previously reported f or that method in infants with normal growth. The small-for-menstrual- age infants were distributed into four growth patterns, ie, infants wi th either normal or decreased second-trimester growth indices, who, by the time of birth, succeed or fail in fulfilling their individual gro wth potential. These four growth patterns appear to be associated with different pathophysiological mechanisms and incidences of perinatal c omplications. Individual fetal growth assessment identifies difference s in genetically determined growth and differentiates between fetuses who achieve their growth potential and those with growth failure who a re at greater risk for fetal compromise. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, I nc.