Does Being Small for Gestational Age Increase Risk for Infant Death?

Risk for death during the first year of life was higher among infants born small for gestational age.

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are known to be at risk for immediate and future health consequences. An investigator compared risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), and all other causes of death during the first year of life among infants born SGA and those born appropriate size for gestational age.

From a national database of nearly 3.3 million U.S. births in 2002, there were 1956 SIDS, 2012 SUDI, and 11,592 other infant deaths (congenital malformation of the heart and extreme immaturity were the most common causes). SGA (birth weight <10th percentile) was more prevalent among all three categories of infants who died than among survivors. After adjusting for potential confoundi…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)