Patient's question:
The last time I had an ultrasound, the doctor said the fetus was developing slightly slower in the uterus and needed to be monitored more carefully. I was told to come back for another check-up in ten days. I'm a bit worried. Is intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) related to fetal mental retardation?Doctor's answer:
If there is developmental delay in the womb, the child may have relatively poor vitality after birth, delayed responses, and may exhibit intellectual disabilities. If the fetus develops slowly in the womb, it may result in a birth weight lower than that of a normal newborn. This has an impact on both intelligence and physical health. On the other hand, it can interfere with the baby's brain development, and in severe cases, it may lead to intrauterine breathing difficulties, which can significantly harm the fetus and even endanger its life.