North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

In symmetric fetal growth retardation, how is the size of the body, body organs, and brain affected?

1. Only body organs are reduced

2. Body, body organs, and brain are all reduced in size

3. Only the brain size is reduced

4. Only body size is reduced

The correct answer is: Body, body organs, and brain are all reduced in size

In symmetric fetal growth retardation, the growth of the fetus is uniformly affected, which means that there is a proportional reduction in the size of the body, body organs, and brain. This condition often results from intrinsic factors affecting the fetus, such as chromosomal abnormalities or infections, which hinder all aspects of fetal growth equally. As the fetus develops, a balance is typically maintained among the growth of the body, organs, and brain. However, in cases of symmetric growth restriction, this balance shifts towards overall diminishment. The body, organs, and brain all develop at a reduced rate, leading to a smaller size for each compared to normal fetal development. This uniform reduction is what distinguishes symmetric fetal growth retardation from asymmetric growth restriction, where the head may be spared while the body remains smaller. Understanding this concept is crucial when assessing fetal health and development.