‘Alcohol, tobacco lead to poor foetus growth’

LUCKNOW: Cases of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) were rising steadily, said speakers in a panel discussion on the second day of the 20th Indian Conference of National Association of Reproductive and Child Health on Saturday.

Currently 10 of every 100 pregnancies end up becoming IUGR. Elaborating on the causes leading to IUGR, experts said excessive alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs were the leading causes of the disease which caused poor growth of a foetus in the womb.

During the scientific session several lectures and panel discussions were held on topics ranging from PC-PNDT act, medico legal to cervical cancer. The panel discussion on ultrasound was chaired by Dr Rama Srivastava.

Dr CV Hegde of the TN Medical College said early diagnosis was important in polycystic ovarian syndrome. If managed well, the patient could also conceive, he said, adding that if left undiagnosed, it could lead to severe health complications.