Characterization of small for gestational age. Leonardo Martínez Valenzuela Hospital

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines children born small for gestational age (SGA) as those whose birth weight is below the 10th percentile by gender at birth, for gestational age. In 2010, it was estimated that 32.4 million babies were born SGAs in low and middle income countries.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with the small newborn for gestational age in the Hospital Leonardo Martínez Valenzuela of San Pedro Sula, in the period from January to December 2016.

Materials and methods: Quantitative, observational, descriptive study; a review of 84 clinical files was carried out, a questionnaire was applied consisting of 23 open and closed questions, evaluating fetal, maternal and demographic risk factors.

Results: 55% of the SGA newborns were male, 96% were full term and 82% were low birth weight. Fetal abnormalities such as microcephaly and polydactyly 2.3% were found; the maternal factors found were maternal diseases in 9.9% described as gestational hypertension, mild and severe preeclampsia, maternal infections such as urinary tract infection, vaginosis and fever 26.5%, demographic factors, such as age between 18- 35 years 83%, low schooling 89%, being mestizo, 8%, primiparous 63%, intergenesic period greater than 2 years 52%.

Conclusions: It is necessary to identify pregnant women with risk factors such as those found to reduce the condition of small for gestational age. We must act with an emphasison modifiable factors.