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Colegio de Sta. Lourdes of Leyte Foundation, Inc. College of Nursing Tabontabon, Leyte

An SGA (small for gestational age) infant is one whose measurements are below the 10th percentile for gestational age. SGA can be caused by maternal conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or smoking, as well as fetal conditions like genetic abnormalities. SGA infants may experience problems like poor feeding, hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress. Nurses manage SGA by providing frequent feedings with high calorie formula or fortified breastmilk to promote weight gain, maintaining normal body temperature and blood sugar levels, and educating parents on home care after discharge.

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65 views

Colegio de Sta. Lourdes of Leyte Foundation, Inc. College of Nursing Tabontabon, Leyte

An SGA (small for gestational age) infant is one whose measurements are below the 10th percentile for gestational age. SGA can be caused by maternal conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or smoking, as well as fetal conditions like genetic abnormalities. SGA infants may experience problems like poor feeding, hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress. Nurses manage SGA by providing frequent feedings with high calorie formula or fortified breastmilk to promote weight gain, maintaining normal body temperature and blood sugar levels, and educating parents on home care after discharge.

Uploaded by

Hassen Zabala
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Colegio de Sta. Lourdes of Leyte Foundation, Inc.

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Tabontabon, Leyte

NOTES ON SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE (SGA) BABIES

Description 

1. An SGA infant is one whose length, weight, and had circumference are below the 10th
percentile of the normal variation for gestational age as determined by neonatal examination.
2. The SGA infant may be preterm, term, or post-term.

Etiology 

1. Maternal conditions associated with SGA babies include:


 Hypertension (chronic or pregnancy- induced)
 Cardiac, pulmonary, or renal disease
 Diabetes mellitus (classes D,E,F, and R)
 Poor nutrition
 Use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
 Age
 Multiple gestation
 Placental insufficiency
 Placental fetal abnormalities
 Pregnancy occurred at high altitudes

2. Fetal conditions associated with SGA infants include:


 Normal genetically small infant
 Chromosomal abnormality
 Malformations
 Congenital infections, especially rubella and cytomegalovirus

3. The effect of these factors upon the fetus is dependent on the stage of fetal development.
 Early gestation is a time of rapid cell proliferation. An insult at this time results in organs
that contain normal size cells, but they are fewer in number. Infants are symmetrical
(their heads and bodies grew proportionately) but their organs are smaller. Usually
these infants have a poor prognosis and may never catch up.
 Later in gestation, growth of the fetus results from an increase in cell size. An insult at
this time results in organs with a normal number of cells that are smaller in size and
causes asymmetric growth. These infants have appropriate-sized heads and body
lengths, but their weight and organ sizes are decreased. These infants usually have a
better prognosis since they have an adequate number of cells. Their growth catches up
if they are provided with good nutrition postnatally.
Assessment Findings

1. Clinical manifestations
 Soft tissue wasting and dysmaturity
 Loose, dry, and scaling skin
 Perinatal asphyxia (due to a small placenta that is less efficient in gas exchange)
 Plethora, respiratory distress, and central nervous system (CNS) aberrations (if the infant has
polycythemia)
 Congenital anomalies (occurring in as many as 35% of SGA infants who suffered insults early in
gestation)

2. Laboratory and diagnostic study findings


 Glucose testing will reveal decreased glycogen stores, which increases the potential for
hypothermia and hypoglycemia.
 Hematocrit level may be increased (65%), which indicates polycythemia as a result of chronic
fetal hypoxia.

Nursing Management 

1. Provide adequate fluid and electrolytes and nutrition.


 Provide a high calorie formula for feeding (more than 20 calories per ounce) to promote
steady weight gain (15 to 30 grams per day growth plotted on curves shows a normal
growth rate).
 If the infant is breast feeding, add human milk fortifier to expressed breast milk.

2. Decrease metabolic demands when possible.


 Provide small frequent feedings.
 Provide gavage feedings if the infant does not have a steady weight gain.
 Provide a neutral thermal environment.
 Decrease iatrogenic stimuli.

3. Prevent hypoglycemia
 Monitor glucose screening.
 Provide early feedings.
 Provide frequent feedings (every 2 to 3 hours)
 Administer IV glucose if blood sugar does not normalize with oral feedings.

4. Maintain a neutral thermal environment.

5. Monitor serum hematocrit (normal is 45% to 65%).


 If an initial high hematocrit was obtained by heel stick capillary sample, a follow-up
sample should be done by venipuncture.
 Observe for signs, symptoms, and complications of polycythemia
 Ruddy appearance
 Cyanosis
 Lethargy, jitteriness, and seizures
 Jaundice
 Provide adequate hydration to prevent hyperviscosity

 Assess the prenatal history for possible toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and
herpes simplex infections during pregnancy. Assess maternal and infant antibody titers.
Use isolation precautions when congenital infections are suspected.

 Provide education and emotional support.


 Explain the possible causes of intrauterine growth retardation.
 Inform parents of the infant’s goal weight for discharge.
 Provide instruction on managing the infant at home.
 Explain how to prepare a higher calorie formula or breast feeding.
 Explain the importance of follow-up with a developmental specialist who will
screen for milestone achievements.

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