IUGR
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an older term describing a baby who is not growing at the expected rate inside the womb. The preferred term today is fetal growth restriction (FGR), but IUGR remains widely recognised. It occurs when the placenta cannot deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to support normal fetal growth, often due to placental insufficiency, maternal high blood pressure, preeclampsia, smoking, or infections. IUGR is diagnosed through serial ultrasound scans measuring the baby's head, abdomen, and femur length, alongside Doppler blood flow studies. Babies with IUGR may need early delivery and extra monitoring after birth.
What This Means for You
Understanding IUGR is an important part of your pregnancy journey. During pregnancy, your care team will use this term regularly. Being familiar with it means you can ask better questions and feel more confident at your antenatal appointments.
Explore our Pregnancy hubGood to Know
FGR is now the preferred clinical term used by doctors at KKH and NUH, so do not be alarmed if your care team uses different language from what you read online. The management approach is the same regardless of which term is used.
Source: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/dictionary
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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