Question

A 32-year-old G1 is seeing you in consultation at 35 weeks gestation. Ultrasound reveals limited fetal growth over the past three weeks. Biometry is consistent with 30-5/7, EFW 1900 g, less than 10th percentile. You counsel her about short and long-term complications for her baby. This fetus is at increased risk for all of the following adult disorders EXCEPT:

A. Cardiovascular disease
B. Chronic hypertension
C. Chronic obstructive lung disease
D. Diabetes
E. Osteoporosis

Answer 1

The fetus is at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, chronic hypertension, and diabetes but not osteoporosis, which is not strongly linked to low birth weight and fetal growth restriction.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 32-year-old G1 at 35 weeks gestation with limited fetal growth and biometry consistent with a gestational age of 30-5/7 weeks and an estimated fetal weight (EFW) of 1900 g might be concerned about the short and long-term complications for her baby.

Regarding the adult disorders that the fetus is at increased risk for, due to being small for gestational age, with a weight less than the 10th percentile, we can consider several possibilities related to developmental origins of health and disease. These include cardiovascular disease, chronic hypertension, and diabetes, all of which have been linked to fetal growth restriction.

The condition not associated with fetal growth restriction among the options provided is osteoporosis. While fetal growth and nutrition can influence bone development, the evidence linking low birth weight specifically to osteoporosis later in life is not as strong as it is for the other conditions listed.