Any type of abnormality in the growth of the baby in the mother’s womb is called a fetal growth problem. Fetal growth is considered a problem if the newborn weighs 6.2-9.2 pounds and is less than or more than 19-21 inches tall, or if it lands before 37 weeks of gestation. The problems can be divided into two categories.Genetic and chromosomal problems and Problems with teratogens.
- Genetic and chromosomal problems: Genetic and chromosomal disorders are-
(i) Autosomal disorders: Autosomal recessive genetic disorders are phenylketonuria and dominant genetic disorders are Huntington’s disease. Children with phenylketonuria cannot digest phenylalanine. Huntington’s disorder causes mental and neurological impairment in children.
(ii) Sex Linked Disorders: Sex linked disorders are red-green color blindness, hemophilia, fragile X syndrome, autism etc.
(iii) Trisomy: Trisomy disorder is Down syndrome. It causes complications in the child’s eyes, face and cheeks.
- Problems due to teratogens: All the environmental causes that cause limb loss or deformity in children are called teratogens. Disadvantages of teratogens are-
(i) Intra-uterine growth restriction: Premature birth due to maternal malnutrition or lack of oxygen.
(ii) Macrosomia : In this disease the child is overweight and large in size. It is called big baby syndrome.
(iii) Smoking: The growth of the baby in the womb of a smoking mother is disturbed.
(iv) Alcohol consumption: Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs in the baby if the mother drinks alcohol.
(v) Food intake: Lack of nutritious food impairs fetal growth.
(vi) Mental condition: The mother’s mental condition needs to be good for the healthy development of the child.