[Clinical problems in extreme fetal retardation]

Three cases of extreme fetal somatic retardation are reported. Fetal retardation is the consequence of chronic placental insufficiency and is affected with a high lethality. It is necessary to recognize suspicious cases by anamnesis and clinical findings; a method of differential diagnostic procedure is described. After demonstrating the placental insufficiency and sufficient fetal maturity the indication for finishing pregnancy is given even though the fetus is extremely small.