Q&A: My daughter was underweight when born at term. Will this happen again?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

My daughter was underweight when born at term, and the placenta was small. Will this happen again?

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, or "small for gestational age") can be hereditary if the parents are short. Otherwise, it can be caused by smoking, substance abuse, hypertension, toxemia (now called "Pregnancy Induced Hypertension," or PIH), chronic illness, infections, or for unknown reasons.

If a woman has had several pregnancies, each spot on her uterus where the placentas implanted will be somewhat scarred. If subsequent placentas attach to such a spot, there's less good, fertile surface area through which to exchange oxygen and nutrients. This could be a cause after several pregnancies. If it's a first pregnancy, if there are no conditions as mentioned above, then it might just be an isolated event for that one pregnancy.

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