SGA, BIRTH WEIGHT, BIRTH LENGTH, INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION (IUGR)

Key words: Small for gestational, Intrauterine growth retardation

Being small for gestational (SGA) leads to consequences not only in the neonatal period but also in adulthood. During the last 15 years, a number of long term risks of being SGA have been clearly identified, including hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, premature pubarche, and ovarian hyperandrogenism. Careful follow-up of this high risk population could allow early intervention to improve some risk factors (eg obesity, hypercolesterolemia, life style) in order to prevent or postpone long-term complications. In February 2006 a group of 42 physicians convened in Manchester to integrate such data into their health-care management of children born small for gestational age (SGA). The meeting was convened, with representation from paediatric endocrine societies (European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology-ESPE and Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society-LWPES) and the Growth Hormone Research Society (GRS), to examine current data relevant to the early, mid and long-term outcome of children born SGA. The working groups formulated evidence-based answers to commonly asked questions, providing a platform for consensus development in the international scientific community in this relevant field for paediatricians.