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.