• Birth length and gestational age are rarely recorded in national databases, resulting in a lack of data on the incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) births¹

• Based on available data, it has been estimated that 2.3–10% of all infants are born SGA¹

Children classified as born small for gestational age may have concurrent diagnoses such as familial short stature, Turner syndrome, or growth hormone deficiency. Approximately 10% of children born small for gestational age do not reach the normal height range. Those whose growth has not caught up by 4 years of age are candidates for treatment with growth hormone.²

Various thresholds for height and weight at birth are used to define 'small for gestational age', the three most commonly used being:

• a height at birth that is 2 standard deviations or more below the population average, or

• a weight at birth that is 2 standard deviations or more below the population average, or

• a weight at birth below the 10th percentile.

The international consensus definition of 'small for gestational age' is a length or weight at birth that is 2 standard deviations below ( −2 SD) the population average for birth or weight.

In addition to accurate measurements of a newborn's weight, length and head circumference, the diagnosis of small for gestational age requires accurate assessment of gestational age and valid data from a reference population.

• Perinatal morbidity

• Associated health problems, such as neurodevelopmental disorders

• Persistent short stature

• Metabolic alterations in later life

References:

Learn more about the 3 devices available for Genotropin patients on our Genotropin brand site