[Pathology and clinical aspects of retarded child development. Diagnosis and therapy of defective development]

21 cases of "small for date" pregnancies were analysed. Serial ultrasonic tracings and determinations of total estrogen excretion in the 24-hour-urine and of serum HPL concentration were carried out. The fetal heart rate was measured by cardiotocogram. Retrospectively, the patients were divided into 3 groups according to birth weight. All patients were treated with a combination of Complamin, Calciparin and Partusisten. Fetal growth retardation could not be stopped by this treatment; there was, however, definite fetal weight gain following long term therapy. Results of HPL and total estrogen determinations were inconclusive; in most cases, however, a fall of concentrations was observed. Following long term therapy a rise in concentration up to almost normal values was seen. The positive effect of therapy was best shown by serial cardiotograms.