Final answer:
Impaired growth during pregnancy, or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), can lead to prenatal death, premature delivery, low birth weight, deformities, and stillbirths. These outcomes underscore the importance of prenatal care to mitigate such risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impaired growth during pregnancy can have significant detrimental consequences for both the mother and the fetus. Such impairment, often referred to as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), can result from various maternal, fetal, or placental factors and is known as a leading cause of low birth weight. This condition can increase the risk of various adverse outcomes. The possible effects of impaired growth during pregnancy include:
- Prenatal death, which refers to the loss of a fetus before birth
- Premature delivery, where the baby is born before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation
- Low birth weight, which is defined as a birth weight less than 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds) and raises the risk of death shortly after birth
- Deformities, which can range from minor physical anomalies to significant structural abnormalities
- Stillbirths, where the baby is born with no signs of life at or after 24 weeks of gestation
Factors contributing to IUGR and its effects can include maternal undernutrition, infections like rubella, substance exposure such as alcohol or smoking, and conditions like anemia. These risks underscore the importance of proper prenatal care, which helps monitor and improve maternal and fetal health, potentially reducing the occurrence of these adverse effects.