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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Low Birth Weight - Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Intrauterine growth retardation, or IUGR, is a condition in which a fetus grows at a slower rate than expected.

What is going on in the body?

There are expected ranges of growth for a fetus at a given gestational age. The growth of a fetus depends on the health and nutrition of the mother and the health of the fetus. IUGR may occur if the health of the placenta or its blood supply is impaired. IUGR may also occur if the mother's nutrition, health, or lifestyle prevents a healthy pregnancy.

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Women with certain conditions may be more likely to have a child with IUGR. These conditions include the following:

placental insufficiency, which leads to poor nutrition of the fetus

multiple pregnancies, such as twins

IUGR in a previous pregnancy

high blood pressure

diabetes

severe kidney disease

heavy smoking

poor weight gain in pregnancy

preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are complications of pregnancy causing high blood pressure in the mother

exposure to high altitudes

drug abuse

HIV infection

severe inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis

alcohol dependence or abuse

toxoplasma infection, also called toxoplasmosis \ \other infections, such as hepatitis B, syphilis, and herpes zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox \ \ rubella, the virus that causes German measles\ \ cytomegalovirus, or CMV\ \ herpes simplex virus, the cause of genital herpes \ ',CAPTION,'TORCH Infections');" onmouseout="return nd();">TORCH infections, a set of infectious diseases that can harm the fetus if the mother is infected during her pregnancy

poor nutrition in the mother

congenital or chromosome abnormalities in the fetus

recurrent bleeding, such as placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta implants over or near the opening of the cervix

blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia

small stature in the mother

placenta abruptio, which is a premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall

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