Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Brain-Sparing Effect, and Neurotrophins
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is failure of the fetus to achieve his or her intrinsic growth potential, due to anatomical/functional diseases or disorders in the fetoplacentalmaternal unit. Growth restriction successfully balances reduced oxygen delivery and consumption; however, chronic hypoxia is responsible for fetal blood flow redistribution to cardinal organs (brain, myocardium, and adrenal glands), the so-called brain-sparing effect. The neurotrophin family comprises four structurally related molecule
intrauterine growth restriction neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor