Hypotrophy of the fetus is a condition that is accompanied by a delay in the development of the baby during pregnancy. The main reason for such a violation is the insufficiency of placental blood flow, but this is only a secondary reason. The primary one, which complicates the blood flow, can represent both problems with the mother's body and diseases of the fetus or placenta.
Hypotrophy of the fetus: classification and causes of the disease
In modern medicine, it is customary to distinguish between a symmetric and asymmetric form of hypotrophy. Symmetric hypotrophy implies that during intrauterine development there is a uniform growth retardation of all organs. Such hypotrophy is diagnosed already in the early stages of bearing a child.
With asymmetric delay, the nervous system and bones, as a rule, develop in accordance with the gestational age, while other organs, such as the kidneys, form and grow much more slowly. In most cases, such a violation 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 by no more than two weeks. With an average form, the fetus develops about 2-4 weeks slower. Severe fetal malnutrition is a delay in fetal development for no more than four weeks.
The main causes of malnutrition can be divided into three general groups:
1. Violations of the developing fetus (congenital malformations, intrauterine infections);
2. Disorders from the placenta (inflammation, detachment, improper position, earlier aging);
3. Violation of the body of a pregnant woman (alcohol, smoking, malnutrition, chronic diseases, dental caries, early or too late pregnancy, miscarriages, severe forms of toxicosis, fluctuation in blood pressure, improper working mode).
Hypotrophy of the fetus: symptoms and diagnosis
It is almost impossible to notice on your own to determine the delay in the development of the future baby. Nevertheless, the standing height of the fundus of the uterus and indicators of the circumference of the abdomen can signal possible violations. That is why the gynecologist is required to record these measurements at each examination. On the other hand, subcutaneous fat, an individual physique of a woman often interfere with an accurate diagnosis.
Therefore, the surest way to determine the presence of malnutrition 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
The treatment of such a violation is a long process, which includes entire complexes of measures. It is worth noting that with a similar diagnosis, a pregnant woman should strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations.
First, women are prescribed a balanced diet. It is worth remembering that during the bearing of the child, the diet of the expectant mother should be complete and include protein food, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as fish. If necessary, a course of vitamin preparations is also prescribed, which positively affects both the development of the fetus and the state of the mother's body.
Secondly, it is necessary to restore the pace of fetal development. To this end, the doctor must first discover the root cause of malnutrition and engage in its treatment. In addition, mothers are prescribed vasodilator drugs that facilitate blood flow through the placenta. Since the development of hypoxia is observed in such children, those drugs are also prescribed that restore the level of oxygen in the blood.
Quite often, pregnant women are diagnosed with fetal malnutrition. The consequences of this disease, especially with timely detection and proper treatment, can be almost imperceptible.