Histocompatibility antigens and intrauterine fetal growth retardation.

Maternal-fetal antigen compatibility adversely affects fetal and placental weights in animal experiments and is associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia in human reproduction. HLA A and B types of the mother, father and infant were determined in 30 pregnancies complicated by intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR) and in 32 normal pregnancies. The frequency and degree of antigenic compatibility between the parents and the mothers and their infants were compared between the groups. There was no evidence that IUGR was associated with a significant degree of HLA A and B antigenic compatibility.