ETIOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATION OF SMALL-FOR-GESTATIONAL-AGE INFANTS

Objective: To determine important aetiological factors in small gestat ional age (SGA) infants and the effectiveness of anthropometric indexe s in identifying patterns of growth retardation. Methodology: Eighty-f our SGA infants and 81 controls were enrolled. Maternal biological, li festyle and psychosocial factors were compared for the total group and the term Caucasian subset. Anthropometric indexes were also examined in relation to growth patterns. Results: Decreased maternal size, poor weight gain, previous SGA infant and smoking were significantly assoc iated with SGA status, Poor parental education and unemployment was in creased in the study group. Mothers of SGA infants, especially the ter m Caucasian group, had a greater prevalence of hypertension and depres sive and stress symptomatology. Ponderal index failed to identify disc reet patterns of disproportionate/proportionate growth retardation. Co nclusion: Biological, lifestyle and psychosocial differences remain im portant aetiological factors of intrauterine growth retardation. Ident ification of specific patterns of growth retardation by ponderal index remains controversial.