Is it dangerous to have a baby with a small head ultrasound for gestational age?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Ultrasound is an important imaging method to check fetal development status, possible pathological abnormalities. Ultrasound fetal head is smaller than gestational age due to many reasons, the fetus may still develop normally or have diseases.

1. Ultrasound fetal head is smaller than gestational age?

Fetal ultrasound helps to provide biparietal diameter (BPD) to accurately estimate gestational age, thereby assessing fetal development. Sugar ultrasound is performed several times during pregnancy, but BPD diameter is most accurately measured at 13-20 weeks gestation.
The measured fetal BPD index is compared with the standard cut-off index for assessment. Usually, by the time the baby is born, the fetal BPD is from 88-100cm, the average is 94cm.
If the fetal BPD index is less than the standard limit, it can be combined with other indicators, the doctor usually evaluates the ultrasound for a small head for gestational age.

2. Is the ultrasound of the baby's head smaller than the gestational age dangerous?

First of all, parents need to know, not all cases of ultrasound of the fetus with a small head for gestational age are dangerous, negatively affecting the health and development of the fetus.
The result is considered dangerous if the head circumference is less than 2 standard degrees. The fetus at this time may be at risk of having flat heads, microcephaly,...
To accurately check whether there is any effect of microcephaly, the doctor needs the results of further tests. in addition to the ultrasound index BPD, HC. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the technical equipment for measuring BPD, HC is accurate, compared with the standard BPD and HC in accordance with the actual age of the fetus. The smaller the fetal head circumference, the more likely the fetus is to have neurological and intellectual problems.
Fetal microcephaly often affects the nervous system later in life. After birth, children often have poor resistance, neurological sequelae, mental retardation, sensory retardation,...
However, in many cases, the BPD, HC index is low because the fetus is developing or developing. unstable growth in the uterus. Many fetuses with ultrasound diagnose the fetus as being smaller than the gestational age, but after birth, they are still healthy, develop normally, and have no neurological problems.
Usually, the doctor will use ultrasound to measure BPD, HC as well as identify and diagnose fetal malformations in the 12th, 22nd and 33rd weeks of pregnancy. In fact, the fetal brain develops very quickly in the last 3 months of pregnancy. period, so the size of the head circumference also changes rapidly.
The size of the fetal head only partially assesses the brain development of the baby. Therefore, instead of being too stressed, pregnant women should keep a comfortable mind, follow a scientific diet and rest. Need deep examination results, how many standard deviations of head circumference or ultrasound measurement of BPD, HC in other times of pregnancy can be concluded.

3. Causes of small head pregnancy

There are many factors that cause the fetus to develop a smaller head than the gestational age, so determining the exact cause also helps to manage it better.
Because pregnant women are infected with some dangerous viruses that cause fetal malformations during pregnancy such as rubella, zika, chickenpox,... Children with related birth defects such as microcephaly, craniocervical stenosis ,, malformations of the nervous system ... Pregnant mothers have poor nutrition, unreasonable rest, stress, overwork. The fetus has chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders. The fetus is deprived of oxygen nourishment from the mother, causing the brain to develop poorly.

4. Mother's nutrition when the first pregnancy is smaller than the gestational age

Ultrasound of the fetus with a small head for gestational age shows the risk of fetal malformations or because maternal nutrition does not meet the needs of the fetus. Indeed, the development of the fetus is greatly influenced by the mother's nutrition, rest, and care.
Therefore, when the fetus is small, the mother should change her diet, living, and resting scientifically. Regarding nutrition for pregnant women, the diet needs to be varied and varied, but must provide enough of the following essential substances in the daily diet.
Folic acid
Folic acid belongs to the group of Vitamin B which is essential for the formation of cells and brain development of the fetus, so it is necessary for mothers to fully supplement during pregnancy. Folic acid is abundant in milk, dairy products, broccoli, egg yolks, whole grains, potatoes,...
In addition, some forms of functional foods for pregnant women also contain Acid. folic acid, mothers should consult a doctor before using.
Choline
Choline is a nutrient that helps promote the development of nerve cells when the fetus is in the womb, maintaining brain cell function. Therefore, supplementing with enough Choline is good for children's brains and memory later on.
Choline is abundant in liver, fresh salmon, poultry, eggs, cauliflower,...
DHA
DHA helps the fetus develop brain, vision and nerve cells, limiting birth defects. born. Mothers can supplement DHA from walnuts, cashews, almonds, sea fish,...
Thus, if the ultrasound results are smaller than the gestational age at 12, 13 weeks, then Mother should not be too stressed. Mothers should have regular prenatal visits to check the baby's health status and intervene early if there are abnormalities.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.
Specialist I Le Hong Lien has been an obstetrician-gynecologist at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital since November 2016. Doctor Lien has over 10 years of experience as a radiologist in the Department of Ultrasound at the leading hospital in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in the South - Tu Du Hospital.

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