Evaluation of the risk factors correlated with unfavourable neonatal outcome in a population of small-for-date newborns

The Authors consider the correlation between risk of intrauterine growth retardation and neonatal outcome in a population of 296 small-for-date newborns. Only in 27% of cases was an etiological factor identified for such growth retardation. The intensive obstetric neonatal monitoring was able to reduce the incidence of fetal distress and perinatal mortality. The newborns showing the worst short- and long-term neonatal outcome were those with birthweight below the 5th percentile and with a proportionate relation between head circumference and birthweight.