Introduction

Fetal malnutrition (FM) is a risk factor for increased neonatal morbidities and mortalities worldwide. Clinicians challenge is to identify SGA babies whose health is endangered in utero because of a hostile intrauterine environment and to monitor and intervene appropriately^[1].

This prospective observational study aim to know prevalence of fetal malnutrition in term SGA babies and to study occurrence of adverse perinatal events in term SGA babies with or without fetal malnutrition. Assessment of nutritional status of fetus has been a major concern to many clinicians because of the potentially serious sequelae of malnutrition on multiple organ systems^[2,3]. Fetal biometry has been used to identify malnourished fetuses as early as possible. Perinatal problems and or long term central nervous system sequelae are known to occur primarily in babies with fetal malnutrition (FM) whether appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or SGA but  less so among those who are SGA but without fetal malnutrition^[4]. There is a need for prompt identification of babies with FM. Features of malnutrition must therefore be sought for, and appropriately diagnosed and treated in every baby at risk. The anticipatory management of such infants at birth may decrease morbidity and improve the survival of such infants^[4,5,6].  Study enrolled 903 term SGA neonates.CAN Score is applied and anthropometric evaluation is carried out between 24 to 48 hour of birth. Babies with adverse perinatal events are treated according to standard hospital protocol.

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Dr Bapu Yelam M.D

Assistant Professor, Dept of Paediatrics, Govt Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India 440003