Fetal growth restriction (FGR)

FGR, sometimes also called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), is a common pregnancy complication where an unborn baby is smaller than expected for their stage of pregnancy. More than one in seven Australian babies, around 20,000 each year are born growth-restricted.

FGR can put babies at risk of heart, lung and brain injury and life-long problems like hypertension, cerebral palsy, autism, learning and other behavioural dysfunctions. FGR is also the leading cause of stillbirth, increasing that risk up to 20-fold.

Causes, types and risks: How scientists are helping

Types of FGR

There are two main forms of FGR

Symmetrical FGR – all parts of the body are a similar small size.
Asymmetrical FGR – the head and brain are a normal size, but the rest of the body is small.

FGR can begin at any time during pregnancy, and the effects depend on how early and how severely growth is restricted.

What causes FGR?

Risk factors for FGR

How our researchers are helping with Fetal growth restriction (FGR)

Researchers at Hudson Institute of Medical Research are investigating how placental dysfunction causes FGR and developing new ways to detect and treat it. Their work aims to protect vulnerable babies from brain, heart and lung injury and to reduce lifelong complications arising from FGR – helping give every baby the best possible start to life.

Improving the transition at birth in newborns with growth restriction.

Dr Beth Allison’s project aims to determine the cardiovascular adaptations that a growth restricted fetus takes to survive chronic hypoxia, and how this alters the cardiovascular transition at birth, making the newborn prone to cardiovascular disease and brain injury. The team also aim to identify strategies to improve cardiovascular function in growth restricted newborns.

Improving functional deficits associated with fetal growth restriction

Investigating the effect of birth asphyxia in growth restricted newborns.

Early diagnosis of brain injury associated with FGR

Assessing antenatal maternal melatonin supplementation for fetal neuroprotection in early-onset FGR

The effects of FGR on the developing preterm lung and cardiovascular system

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) collaborators

To solve health challenges our leading scientists, collaborate with experts in their field nationally and internationally. This includes working with clinicians and scientists on priority health challenges, identification at a molecular level through to clinical trial and application of results in clinics.

Monash Newborn, Monash University, Monash Women’s Health

Support for Fetal growth restriction (FGR)

Hudson Institute scientists cannot provide medical advice.

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