{"id":3114,"date":"2026-06-30T17:20:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T20:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/?p=3114"},"modified":"2026-06-30T18:01:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T21:01:24","slug":"bebes-nacidos-pequenos-para-la-edad-gestacional-lo-que-los-padres-necesitan-saber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/bebes-nacidos-pequenos-para-la-edad-gestacional-lo-que-los-padres-necesitan-saber\/","title":{"rendered":"Babies born small for gestational age: what parents need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every baby has its own growth rate during pregnancy. However, some are born with a lower weight than expected for their gestational age. These babies are called small for gestational age (SGA)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although most of these babies grow and develop normally, some require closer monitoring to ensure proper growth and prevent long-term health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to be small for gestational age?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A baby is considered small for gestational age when their birth weight and\/or length is below what is expected for the weeks of pregnancy. This does not always mean the baby is premature. In fact, many babies are born at term (between 37 and 42 weeks) but are smaller than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to differentiate between babies who are naturally small, due to family characteristics, and those whose growth during pregnancy was limited by various causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does this happen?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reasons can be very diverse, and in many cases, more than one factor is involved at the same time. Among the most frequent causes are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Alterations in placental function.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Maternal illnesses such as high blood pressure or preeclampsia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Smoking, alcohol consumption or other substances during pregnancy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Multiple pregnancies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Some rare infections or genetic disorders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    In some children it is not possible to identify a specific cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What happens after birth?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The good news is that Between 85 and 90%, babies born small for gestational age experience catch-up growth.<\/strong> during the first two years of life, especially in the first 6 to 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, some children do not achieve this recovery spontaneously and may present with persistent short stature, requiring evaluation by specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The importance of nutrition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Nutrition during the first months of life plays a fundamental role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The breastfeeding<\/strong> It is the best option for most PEG babies, as it provides all the necessary nutrients and offers benefits for neurological development, the immune system, and future health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When breastfeeding is not possible or is not sufficient, the pediatrician will indicate the most appropriate alternative for each situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The goal is to promote healthy growth, avoiding both insufficient growth and excessively rapid recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why is it important to avoid excessively rapid weight gain?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    For many years it was believed that the faster a small baby grew, the better its prognosis. Today we know that this is not always the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Excessively rapid weight gain, especially if it occurs during the first few months of life, can increase the future risk of developing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Overweight and obesity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Type 2 diabetes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • High blood pressure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Cardiovascular diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Therefore, the challenge is to achieve balanced growth, allowing for adequate development without promoting an excess of adipose tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Do they need special controls?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Yes. Children born small for gestational age should be monitored regularly by their pediatrician, who may eventually consider consulting with a specialist in pediatric nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Each consultation includes the following assessments:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Weight, length or height and head circumference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Growth rate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Neurological development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Feeding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Appearance of associated diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        If growth does not progress as expected, further studies may be necessary, and in some cases, consultation with a pediatric nutritionist and endocrinologist may be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A message for families<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Being born small for gestational age does not determine a child's future. The vast majority grow and develop normally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Pediatric monitoring, proper nutrition, and regular check-ups allow for the early detection of children who need special attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The goal is not for the baby to grow as quickly as possible, but to achieve healthy growth that promotes their present development and health throughout their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n
        \n\n\n\n

        Fountain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This note was prepared based on the chapter:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Kovalskys I, Mazza CS.<\/strong> Infants Born Small for Gestational Age at Term.<\/em> In: Koletzko B, Poindexter B, Uauy R, eds. Pediatric Nutrition in Practice.<\/strong> World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics. Vol. 124. Basel: Karger; 2022:338-344. doi:10.1159\/000516707.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Cada beb\u00e9 tiene su propio ritmo de crecimiento durante el embarazo. Sin embargo, algunos nacen con un peso menor al […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articulos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3114"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3128,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3114\/revisions\/3128"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inumi.ar\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}