Role of oral amino acid supplementation in intra-uterine growth restriction and its outcome

To compare the perinatal outcome in intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) with or without oral amino acid supplementation, a randomised control trial was conducted. Out of 50 mothers having IUGR, 25 received amino acid supplementation, treated as cases (group I) and rest 25 mothers with IUGR who had not received amino acid supplementation treated as controls (group II). The outcome of this study is compared in respect of (a) period of gestation at the time of delivery, (b) birth weight, (c) Apgar score, (d) neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. In group I 88% continued pregnancy beyond 36 weeks and in comparison 48% delivered in between 34 and 36 weeks in group II. In group I 80% babies had birth weight between 2.5 and < 3kg, in comparison 84% babies weighing between 2 and < 2.5kg in group II. Eighty per cent of babies having Apgar score in between 7 and 10 in group I and 92% of group I cases not required any NICU admission. Oral amino acid supplementation commencing from second trimester of pregnancy significantly improves the perinatal outcome in IUGR cases.