Neurologic sequelae in infants with intrauterine growth retardation.

The literature on neurologic sequelae in infants with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is reviewed. In many studies this term is used for only those infants who have a birthweight (BW) below the 10th percentile and are labeled small for gestational age (SGA). The etiology of IUGR can often be correlated with a characteristic pattern of in utero growth and a subsequently predictable pattern of postnatal growth and/or developmental outcome. The concept that certain premature infants who are appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA) but whose birth weights fall below the 50th percentile may have IUGR is supported by the analysis of data from this study. In attempting to predict the neurologic outcome, it may be more helpful to recognize etiologic factors such as sleep disturbances than to analyze infants by birth weight gestational age groups.