The most common reason why a baby is smaller than average — weighing less than 2.5kg at birth — is prematurity (being born before 37 weeks’ gestation). The earlier the baby is born, the smaller they are likely to be. This is because the baby will have had less time in the womb to grow.
What causes babies to be born small?
The primary cause is premature birth, being born before 37 weeks gestation; a baby born early has less time in the mother’s uterus to grow and gain weight, and much of a fetus’s weight is gained during the latter part of the mother’s pregnancy. Another cause of low birthweight is intrauterine growth restriction.
What does it mean if your baby is measuring small?
Some babies are small because their parents are small. But most babies who are small for gestational age have growth problems that happen during pregnancy. When the unborn baby does not get enough oxygen or nutrients during pregnancy, they don’t grow as much as normal. The condition is often suspected before birth.
Should I worry if baby is measuring small?
No, there’s not necessarily anything wrong if your baby is small for dates. Babies grow at different rates and some are simply smaller than average. Measurements aren’t always accurate either. Your midwife may offer you a growth scan though, to be on the safe side.
Do babies born small stay small?
Babies who are born small for their gestational age (SGA) tend to remain small as children. This study tracked SGA babies past their adolescent growth spurt and found that they are likely to become short adults as well.
Are small babies healthy?
If there are no other complications, low birth weight babies usually ‘catch up’ in their physical growth. In later life, however, people who were born smaller than average are more likely to develop diabetes, obesity, heart problems and high blood pressure.
Is a 5lb baby small?
These babies have birth weight below the 10th percentile. This means they are smaller than many other babies of the same gestational age. Many babies normally weigh more than 5 pounds, 13 ounces by the 37th week of pregnancy. Babies born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces are considered low birth weight.
What to do if baby is measuring small?
If the measurement (fundal height) is smaller than your due date indicates it should be (this is called “small for dates”), she’ll follow up with an ultrasound to pinpoint your baby’s size and weight. You may measure small because your due date (based on your last period) is wrong.
Can a small fetus catch up?
Most babies born too small for their gestational age catch up over the first two or three years of life. However, in about a third, complete catch-up growth does not occur.
Can small babies grow tall?
Not necessarily. Long babies may well grow up to be tall, but genes also have an influence. If you and your partner are tall, then your baby is also likely to be tall, even if he was a small baby. … While he’s very young, your baby’s length won’t show if he’s going to be tall when he’s older.
What weight is small for gestational age?
At a gestational age of 40 weeks, boys who weigh less than about 6 pounds 9 ounces (3 kilograms) are small for gestational age. Girls who weigh less than about 6 pounds 3 ounces (2.8 kilograms) are small for gestational age.
What are the effects of small gestational age?
However, there is accumulating evidence to suggest an association between being born small for gestational age (SGA) and increased risk of lower intelligence, poor academic performance, low social competence and behavioural problems, compared with individuals born appropriate for gestational age.
Can you have a healthy baby with IUGR?
It’s important to know that IUGR only means slowed growing. These small babies aren’t mentally slow or retarded. Most small babies grow up to be healthy children and adults.