IUGR- Growth Retardation Caused by Depakote use during Pregnancy
Intrauterine growth retardation is a medical condition in which a fetus grows exceptionally slowly in the uterus. The side effects of some medications (which may include DepakoteŽ) have been linked to an increased risk for IUGR. At birth, a baby with IUGR will be much smaller than normal for its gestational age, often under the 10th percentile on the growth chart.
In order for a baby to be diagnosed with growth retardation, as opposed to small-for-gestational-age, there must be some sort pathological reason that prevents the baby from growing normally. Consequently, babies with IUGR are often required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit after birth. This can be a financially and emotionally draining experience for new parents.
Normal fetal development occurs in three major stages:
- Stage One: Lasting from pregnancy weeks four to 20, this stage is marked by rapid cell division and multiplication.
- Stage Two: Spanning weeks 20-28, this stage involves cells growing in size at a rapid rate.
- Stage Three: Between weeks 28-40, this stage involves the development of fat, muscle, and connective tissue, as well as continuing cell growth.
Depending on the stage affected, IUGR will be classified as either symmetrical or asymmetrical. A disruption during the first stage causes symmetrical IUGR. These babies may tend to have head and body measurements below the 10th percentile.
Babies with asymmetric IUGR may have normal head and length measurements, but their weight may be under the 10th percentile. Because asymmetric IUGR involves the disruption of the second or third stage of development, babies will have the correct number of cells, but the cells may be smaller in size.
