Small for gestational age (SGA)

Alternative Names: Low birth weight

Small for gestational age (SGA) means a developing baby in the womb or an infant is smaller in size than normal for the baby's gender and gestational age.

Information

Ultrasound is used to find out if a developing baby (fetus) is smaller-than-normal for age (intrauterine growth restriction). The most widely used definition of SGA is birth weight below the 10th percentile.

A developing baby with intrauterine growth restriction will be small in size and can have problems such as:

• Increased red blood cells (polycythemia)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)

Carlo WA. Prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 91.2.

Review Date: 8/12/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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