European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ROLE OF L-ARGININE AND SILDENAFIL IN INTRA UTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION: A CURRENT REVIEW

Dr. D. K. Suresh*, CH Shirisha, P. Ranjith Kumar, Y. V. Praveena, Shivani Singh

ABSTRACT

IUGR is defined as the birth weight <10 percentile for gestational age. It is the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality which affects 8%of pregnancy. IUGR is defined as fetus which fails to reach its normal growth potential. It is referred as fetal growth restrictions or IUGR. Growth restricted babies are often malnourished. IUGR is diagnosed by ultrasound, Doppler, amniocentesis. Several clinical trials have reported L- arginine and sildenafil citrate had effect on IUGR. L-Arginine, a nutritionally essential amino acid is the precursor synthesis of nitric oxide. It may play a critical role in fetal nutrition oxygenation, resulting in improvement of IUGR pregnancy enhancing birth weight, decreased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Sildenafil is phosphodisterase -5 inhibitor delaying the breakdown of cGMP and enhancing NO-dependent vasodilator. It is used as potential candidate for treatment of IUGR and is also associated with fetal weight gain.

Keywords: L-arginine, sildenafil citrate, intrauterine growth restriction, Birth weight, Gestational age.