aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Much of intrauterine growth retardation is idiopathic. Other causes include:

Placental insufficiency:

• pre-eclampsia
• maternal smoking

Maternal malnutrition:

• maternal alcoholism
• poor diet
• eating disorders

Foetal factors:

• multiple pregnancy
• intra-uterine infection
• chromosomal abnormalities

Small for dates may also occur because the parent(s) are small, i.e. a normal variant.