[Idiopathic intrauterine growth retardation]

The diagnosis of idiopathic intra-uterine foetal growth retardation is difficult in that it is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is obvious that so-called idiopathic growth retardation can not occur without a cause. The author describes various forms of growth retardation and stresses the methods of diagnosis of severe malformations which are often a nightmare for the obstetrician who always feels uncomfortable about posing the indication for extraction without being absolutely sure.