IUGR vs SGA: Difference and Comparison

It is said that the mother’s uterus is the safest environment for an organism. But some also are affected by some diseases inside the mother’s uterus due to many reasons. Two of these kinds of diseases that affect the fetus in the uterus are IUGR and SGA. So here is some detailed information about these diseases and keeping the pregnant mother safe and healthy.

Key Takeaways

  1. IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) refers to poor fetal growth for specific reasons.
  2. SGA (Small for Gestational Age) denotes a baby born smaller than expected for gestational age.
  3. IUGR can lead to SGA, but not all babies have experienced IUGR.

IUGR vs SGA

 The difference between the IUGR and SGA is that in the case of IUGR, the baby is malnourished and is not properly developed. In this case, the growth of the fetus in the uterus stops. But in the case of SGA, the growth of the fetus is less than the other fetus of the same gestational age.

IUGR vs SGA

The IUGR is Intra Uterine Growth Retardation. This is a medical condition of the fetus inside the mother’s uterus. In this disease, the fetus stops growing; the development or growth of the fetus stops or becomes very slow. The fetus starts to get malnourished. This condition leads to a malnourished baby regardless of size.

The full form of SGA is Small for Gestational Age. This is a medical condition in which the fetus is less developed and small in comparison to another fetus of the same gestational age. In this condition, the growth slows down a little with respect to normal. This leads to a baby of small size. But this does not result in a malnourished baby.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonIUGRSGA
DefinitionThe growth of the fetus  is retarded in the uterusThe size of the fetus is 10%  less as compared to another fetus of the same gestational age
AppearanceBabies look small and malnourishedBabies are small in size but does not look malnourished
Growth in uterusThe rate of growth in the uterus is always lessThe growth rate is normal and sometimes a little less than normal
ReasonsDue to ay problem or disorderIt may be due to the small size of mother or sometimes due to other problems and disorders
DiagnosisUltrasound or Doppler’s blood testMeasurement of the fundus to pubic bone and ultrasound

What is IUGR?

The IUGR is Intra Uterine Growth Retardation. This is a medical condition of the fetus inside the mother’s uterus. In this disease, the fetus stops growing; the development or growth of the fetus stops or becomes very slow. The fetus starts to get malnourished. This condition leads to a malnourished baby regardless of size.

This occurs due to dysfunction of the placenta. The placenta is the connection between the mother and baby. The baby gets the required nutrients from the placenta. The disorder in the flow of nutrients causes IUGR. This disease can also be caused due to an infection in the uterus. The infections like toxoplasma, herpes, malaria, rubella, etc., cause IUGR in the fetus. This can be caused if there is more than one fetus in the uterus.

The IUGR condition is diagnosed by ultrasound or Doppler’s blood test. This is also done by measurement of the fundus to the pubic bone. The growth of the fetus stops or is very low in the case of IUGR. This condition can also happen if the mother does not have proper weight during pregnancy, or is anaemic, have diabetes, and also other reasons.

What is SGA?

The full form of SGA is Small for Gestational Age. This is a medical condition in which the fetus is less developed and small in comparison to another fetus of the same gestational age. In this condition, the growth slows down a little with respect to normal. This leads to a baby of small size. But this does not result in a malnourished baby.

This condition is diagnosed by measurement of the fundus to pubic bone and ultrasound. This condition is observed in ultrasound then the measurement is done. In this condition, the fetus’s head, body, and abdomen are measured to observe the amount of disorder. This condition occurs due to many reasons. One of these may be IUGR, also.

The baby becomes SGA due to many reasons. One of the main reasons is if the mother smokes, drinks, or takes drugs during pregnancy. This is the main reason observed in the SGA child. Malnutrition or uterus problems may also result in SGA babies. The mother should be taken care of as the pregnancy period is vital for the health of both mother and baby.

Main Differences Between IUGR and SGA

  1. In the case of IUGR, the growth of the fetus is retarded in the uterus. On the other hand, in the case of SGA, the size of the fetus is 10% less as compared to another fetus of the same gestational age.
  2. In the case of IUGR, the babies look small and malnourished. In contrast, in the case of SGA, the babies are small in size but do not look malnourished.  
  3. In the case of IUGR, the rate of growth in the uterus is always less in comparison to that in the case of SGA the growth rate is normal and sometimes a little less than normal.
  4. The reason for the development of IUGR may be due to any problem or disorder. In contrast, the SGA may be caused may be due to the small size of the mother or sometimes due to other problems and disorders.
  5. The IUGR condition is diagnosed by ultrasound or Doppler’s blood test. On the other hand, the SGA condition is diagnosed by measurement of the fundus to pubic bone and ultrasound.
Difference Between IUGR and SGA
References
  1. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2001.00205.x
  2. https://www.nature.com/articles/1601412

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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8 thoughts on “IUGR vs SGA: Difference and Comparison”

  1. This is a very insightful article. Thank you for providing detailed information about IUGR and SGA. Informed mothers will be better equipped to protect the health of their babies.

    Reply
  2. This article offers a detailed analysis of IUGR and SGA, shedding light on the important differences between the two conditions, which can be instrumental in safeguarding the health of the fetus.

    Reply
  3. It’s crucial for expectant mothers to be fully aware of the differences between IUGR and SGA to ensure they receive the proper care and treatment during their pregnancies.

    Reply
  4. Having an understanding of IUGR and SGA is indispensable knowledge for expectant mothers, as it can help in identifying and managing these conditions more effectively.

    Reply
  5. This is such an informative piece. Understanding the differences between IUGR and SGA is key in ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the baby.

    Reply
  6. Comprehensive information about the differences between IUGR and SGA. It is essential reading for expectant mothers who need to be aware of the risks and symptoms associated with these conditions.

    Reply
  7. IUGR and SGA are two very common diseases that affect the fetus in the uterus. It’s important to have very detailed information about these diseases to protect the health of both the mother and the baby.

    Reply

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